DARKSUN, a Power/Symphonic Metal band, was born in Asturias, Spain, in 2002 with three of the five members being original. DARKSUN is influenced by bands like: HELLOWEEN, BLIND GUARDIAN, GAMMA RAY, PRIMAL FEAR, etc. They have five previous album releases and are back their sixth release "Chronicles Of Aravan". "It tells the story of Aravan, a warrior who returns from a battle to see his village burned down and everyone killed. He then goes on a quest for revenge against those who murdered his people and destroyed his home." The last two tracks on this album are bonus features and are not part Aravan's story. This album comes in with eleven tracks and a listening time of about 56 minutes.

The opening track, "The Battle", comes in a blaze of glory. The guitars are superb, and then incomes the orchestral Symphonic greatness. There is so much power in this five-minute plus track. The vocals are thick with accent and your Classic Power Metal ballad. The elements within this track are majestic and noble. Track two, "The Legacy" starts off a little less blaze and a lot more otherworldly. While there is still so much power, there is a lot more bass love and that brings the overall tone down a few notches. There is a mystical feeling in this track.
If there were a place where Power Metal lived, "Dragon Heart", track three, would live there. This is a Power heavy track and everything intertwines perfectly. The drums, while they have been exceptional to this point, stand out in this track at a different level. The guitars are remarkable. The bass is keeping everything together and grounded. The vocals are ranged and robust. The track is fast and uplifting.

Track four, "Beyond The Gate of Hell", starts off much slower. The slowest this album has seen. There is a break that gets your heart pumping as if it's going to take off in a fiery blaze, but lasts a little longer than expect, so it tricks you into thinking it's done, but then blasts off. It is still lower, and allows the bass to have an incredible run in the track. I love when a band allows the bass to really shine, and these guys give that without pulling the overall tone down too far. The end of the track reverts back to a very slow out, creating a beautiful contrast from start to finish. "See The Light", track six is another much slower track. It is ballad-esque, but the guitars and vocals bring in the power, where the orchestral ambiance, drums and bass keep the track grounded and lower. The musicianship in this track is simply stunning.

 It would be so easy to write something wonderful about every single track on this album. If you are a fan of Symphonic and/or Power Metal, you will find this album to be masterful. Although, I can't for a second rule out that metal lovers in generally will find this album to be powerful. There is a defined difference from the story of Aravan and the two bonus tracks. In DARKSUN's "Chronicles of Aravan" the story is good, but the music is phenomenal.