Dark Moor is a Spanish

symphonic power metal Symphonic metal is a cross-generic style designation for the symphonic subsets of heavy metal music subgenres. It is used to denote any metal band that makes use of symphonic or orchestral elements. The style features the heavy drums and guitar ...

band from Madrid. Formed in 1993, they produced three full-length albums before undergoing a line-up change in which three members left the band to form their own project, Dreamaker. Afterwards, the band continued under the same name, recruiting suitable replacements in time for their eponymous 2003 album. Since 2002, guitarist Enrik Garcia has been the band's sole remaining founding member.

Background

Dark Moor was formed in 1993 in Madrid, Spain, and recorded their debut album, '' Shadowland'', in the summer of 1999. Dark Moor played live supporting Demons and Wizards on their Spanish tour. Dark Moor began the recording sessions for their second album, ''

The Hall of the Olden Dreams Dark Moor is a Spanish symphonic power metal band from Madrid. Formed in 1993, they produced three full-length albums before undergoing a line-up change in which three members left the band to form their own project, Dreamaker. Afterwards, the ...

'', in August 2000 at New Sin Studios with producer Luigi Stefanini. During these recording sessions, the band recorded their cover of "Halloween", which was included on the CD ''The Keepers of Jericho part I - A Tribute to Helloween'' (Arise Records). Their EP ''

The Fall of Melnibone ''The Fall of Melnibone'' is an EP released by Spanish power metal band Dark Moor Dark Moor is a Spanish symphonic power metal band from Madrid. Formed in 1993, they produced three full-length albums before undergoing a line-up change in which ...

'' was released in June 2001. This EP was a limited edition; 1500 copies were released and only for the Spanish market. Dark Moor began the recording of their third album, ''

The Gates of Oblivion ''The Gates of Oblivion'' is the third full-length album of the Spanish power metal band Dark Moor, released March 31, 2002 on Arise Records. It's also the last album with singer Elisa C. Martín. This album had the collaboration of the Valcavas ...

'', in Autumn 2001 at New Sin Studios. Dark Moor signed with the major label

JVC JVC (short for Japan Victor Company) is a Japanese brand owned by JVCKenwood corporation. Founded in 1927 as the Victor Talking Machine Company of Japan and later as , the company is best known for introducing Japan's first televisions and for ...

for the Asian release. The band played 18 gigs at festivals such as Rock Machina, Viña Rock and Nit De Reis. After the first part of the tour, keyboardist Roberto Peña left the band and they were forced to finish the tour with a guest musician. In August 2003 Dark Moor recorded four new exclusive acoustic tracks along with a

string quartet The term string quartet can refer to either a type of musical composition or a group of four people who play them. Many composers from the mid-18th century onwards wrote string quartets. The associated musical ensemble consists of two violinists ...

, to be included in ''Between Light and Darkness'', which was released in April 2003. Due to differing points of view regarding the musical direction for the next Dark Moor album, vocalist Elisa Martin, guitarist Albert Maroto and drummer Jorge Sáez decided to leave Dark Moor to start a new band. The two remaining members of the band decided to start a search for new members. After the auditions, they accepted vocalist Alfred Romero, guitarist Jose Garrido, and drummer Andy C. In August 2003, the band started recording their fourth album, '' Dark Moor'', at New Sin Studios in Italy. Following a month of recording sessions, the album was mastered by Mika Jussila at

Finnvox Studios Finnvox Studios is a recording studio located in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, Finland. It was founded by Erkki Ertesuo, Kurt Juuranto and Lejos Inc. in 1965 and is the longest running studio recording facility in Finland. The original multi-track re ...

. On 23 November 2006, the band announced the departure of their drummer on their official website, due to "incompatibility with his other musical projects." He would go on to play drums for Saratoga. His replacement, Roberto Cappa, was previously in the Spanish metal band Anima Sola. In January 2009, their seventh album ''

Autumnal ''Autumnal'' is the seventh full-length album by the Spanish power metal band Dark Moor. The recording of this album was announced in early 2008, with constant updates posted on their website since then. The title of the album was revealed on N ...

'' was released. The band made an announcement on their website, dated 4 June 2010, that their eighth album was in the works. It featured Berenice Musa as a guest vocalist. The album is titled ''

Ancestral Romance ''Ancestral Romance'' is the eighth full-length album by the Spanish power metal band Dark Moor, released on 24 November 2010. Track listing # "Gadir" - 4:59 # "Love from the Stone" - 4:02 # "Alaric de Marnac" - 4:42 # "Mio Cid" - 6:39 # "Just R ...

'' and it was released in November 2010. On 18 June 2013 the band released their ninth album ''

Ars Musica {{Notability, date=June 2020 Founded in 1989, Ars Musica is an annual contemporary music international festival that takes place in Brussels during several weeks, usually in March. Nowadays, Ars musica is one of the biggest world festival for con ...

'', with the Japanese limited version including a bonus CD with five bonus tracks. They toured Mexico and Asia the same year, as well as few dates in Europe in 2014 to support the new album. Dark Moor started recording their 10th studio album, '' Project X'', on 27 July 2015 and released it in Europe on 6 November 2015 on Scarlet Records. On 21 July 2018, Enrik Garcia, guitarist and founder of the band, announced via Facebook that their next album would be called ''Origins'' and that, after the parenthesis they did with ufology themes on ''Project X'', they would return to their habitual themes; ''Origins'' will be about the Celtic world, also adding Celtic instruments on their new songs. This album was released on 12 December 2018.

Members

Current members * Alfred Romero (2003–present) - vocals *

Enrik Garcia Dark Moor is a Spanish symphonic power metal band from Madrid. Formed in 1993, they produced three full-length albums before undergoing a line-up change in which three members left the band to form their own project, Dreamaker. Afterwards, the ...

(1993–present) - guitar * Dani Fernandez (2004–2008, 2015–present) - bass * Carlos Delgado (2021–present) - drums Former members * Javier Rubio (1993-1998) - guitar * Iván Urbistondo (1996-1999) - vocals * Roberto Peña (1994–2002) - keyboards * Elisa C. Martin (1999–2003) - vocals * Albert Maroto (1999–2003) - guitar * Anan Kaddouri (1998–2004) - bass * Jorge Sáez - (1998–2003) drums * Jose Garrido (2003–2004) - guitar * Jamie Mylles (2004-2006) - guitar * Andy C. (2003–2006) - drums/keyboards * Mario Garcia (2008–2015) - bass * Ricardo Moreno (2015) - bass * Roberto Cappa (2006–2021) - drums

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Shadowland'' (1999) * ''

'' (2000) * ''

'' (2002) * '' Dark Moor'' (2003) * '' Beyond the Sea'' (2005) * '' Tarot'' (2007) * ''

'' (2009) * ''

'' (2010) * ''

'' (2013) * ''Project X'' (2015) * ''Origins'' (2018)

Singles and EPs

* ''

'' (2001) * ''Between Light and Darkness'' (2003) * ''From Hell'' (2003) * ''The Road Again'' (2013) * ''Birth of the Sun'' (2018) * ''Vivaldi Summer Storm'' (2022) * ''Héroe del Mar'' (2023)

Demos

* ''Dreams of Madness'' (1998) * ''Flying'' (1999)

References

External links

*
Dark Moor
at AllMusic {{Authority control 1993 establishments in Spain Musical groups established in 1993 Musical groups from Madrid Musical quartets Spanish power metal musical groups Spanish symphonic metal musical groups Scarlet Records artists