Femme-Metal Friday: The Dark Element “The Ghost and the Reaper”

Band photo

Surprise, surprise—I'm writing another video review of The Dark Element! Can I help it that I like their music? Come to think of it, why do I need to explain what I review on my own blog?

If you have read all my previous reviews about this band, then no introduction or backstory is needed. If you haven't, then feel free to read one, so that those who have read them can get to the video review without reading too much rehashed information.

The band's second performance video, their third altogether, The Dark Element continues on with their pop-laced, hard-rockin', electronic-infused, AOR sound with “The Ghost and the Reaper”, one of the heaviest—yet also one of the catchiest—tunes on the album.

In contrast to their first video—“My Sweet Mystery”, which was filmed in a brightly-lit open space—“The Ghost and the Reaper” has a darker aesthetic; the band is shown in a closer space, and there is little light. Anette is wearing a black hooded jumpsuit, the hood partially covering her face. The rest of the band's faces are obscured here and there as well, either by the lighting or by the hair in their faces. Whether this intentional or not, it works. (Can I just mention that I really like the design on the drum kit?) I think it's also cool the way Jani gets into the song and is seen mouthing the lyrics along with Anette. Of course, no metal is complete without synchronized headbanging, and even the short-haired bass player manages to whip his hair around, which not many short-haired folks can pull off very convincingly when they are headbanging. Everyone looks like they are having fun, even when they're trying to maintain that tough “metal” vibe.

For more information on The Dark Element, visit their official Facebook page.

Thanks to Jon Freeman at Frontiers.