Darkyra is set to release their new album “Life Force” on Battlegod Productions June 13th.

“Life Force ” is the third release under the Darkyra brand. The album a joint venture between Drummer and Producer Garry King (Jeff Beck and Joe Lynn Turner) and Singer / Songwriter, Gina Bafile, (aka Darkyra / Darkyra Black, (she also is the new lead singer of Anfitrite). The friendship between the two dates back a full decade and this is the third album they have worked on together this time co-produced and arranged by them both and Garry has Mixed and Edited everything at ‘La Foret Studio’, in the Southwest of France. The Darkyra sound is quite diverse combining Cinematic Metal, Epic Metal, Gothic Rock, Art Rock, Opera Metal and Progressive Rock. Blending both soaring operatic vocals and rock vocals. Memorable melodies, World class production and world class musicianship.

Singer / Songwriter, Gina Bafile, “Darkyra has always been about uniting musicians from across the globe and we have continued this on Life Force. Over the years while Darkyra has been away from the music scene (last 8 years) the world has gone a little crazy, like the darkness is somehow starting to overshadow the light. Rather than creating a musical body of work that reinforces dark subject matters it was really important for us to balance the light with the dark. Metal music today seems to be all about doom and gloom. Although a good amount of the subject matter on this album is quite personal for Gina, having gone through her own health struggles and losing loved ones. We have tried to emphasize the upbeat and playful side of this album. ‘Life Force’ the title track sums up the playfulness and friendships forged from creating music and it is only fitting that this too was the title of this album. We hope everyone enjoys this new direction we have chosen and perhaps it’ll shed a little ray of light for those that have fallen on dark times.”

Peter Kotevski, President of Battlegod Productions, “With Gina we have been in contact about working together for this album for some time now. It’s a band that is different to what Battlegod Productions normally releases but also it is quality music on a high level. It is great to have more variety on the label roster with a good professional band is all that is needed. The tracks are fantastic, each track has its own signature and grows on you with every listen. Highly recommended for people who adore their female fronted Rock/Metal.”

Darkyra has many influences, some of these being Kate Bush, Devin Townsend, Tarja Turunen, though preferring not to be pigeonholed into any one category but rather letting the mood predict the outcome and the voice narrate the many characters within each song. A few things are different on this album, the vocals are set further in the mix to give it more of a rock style edge and the music is less dominated by keyboards and synth. Part of their aim was to capture the essence of 80’s rock and combine it with gothic and progressive rock but emphasize the bass and low tuned guitars to still keep a semi metal sound. Lots of vocal layering.

So What’s the album about?

Life-Force is a collection of songs based around both the light and dark aspects of human nature. It is a walk through an eclectic mind, cinematic storytelling driven by the push pull of good and evil, the inner and outer demons, slaves to a virtual world yet there are those still willing to give it all for a Celebrity Smile. “Life Force” we see it fade slowly in the sick as they slip away, we feel the vibrancy of the youth who have time and energy to play and within our memories the fallen forever loved, sometimes felt as if they remain. “Life Force” it flows within us all. It is the unity of friends across the globe, the creation of magic in the form of music. The spirit within that speaks volumes…. after all, …THE WORLD IS A STAGE!

The album hashes out some real personal things. All in Good Time – Autism in Early Childhood, Breathe – Learning to pick yourself up after Cancer, Tested the Water- Seperation, Take Me Far Away – looking for closure and somewhere to lay down roots, One Foot in the Grave – the elderly waiting for what seems to be an eternity to join their fallen loved ones, Tomorrow Without You – Watching a parent fall ill and pass away and trying to come to terms with the grief. Life Force – a reflection of the friendships formed through music stemming back a decade and Quiet the Mind – a mind that just won’t stop to rest.

Tracklisting:

1. Life Force
2. Take Me Far Away
3. Breathe
4. All In Good Time
5. One Foot In The Grave
6. Tomorrow Without You
7. Quiet The Mind
8. Leap Before Yo0u Die
9. Tested The Water (Bonus track)
10. Celebrity Smile

Performer Credits:

GINA BAFILE – Lead Vocals & Backup Vocals
GARRY KING – Drums, Percussion, Loops & Backup Vocals, Extra Keyboards on (Bonus Track ‘Tested the Water’)
LUCIO MANCA – Bass Guitar (excluding ‘Take Me Far’ and ‘Celebrity Smile’)
GUS MANSUR – Guitars (all tracks incl. Breathe, Extra Guitar parts and solo on ‘Tested the Water’)
FAB JABLONSKI – Keyboard, Piano and Synth
MAAZ MANIK – Bass Guitar (Celebrity Smile, Take Me Far Away)
VINNI BAFILE – Clean & Drone Guitar (Quiet the Mind)
JAMES MICHAEL – Guitars on ‘Breathe’ and ‘Tested the Water’

Songwriter / Production Credits:

‘Life Force’ album, Produced and arranged by: Garry King and Gina Bafile
Edited and Mixed: Garry King at La Foret Studios, South West France
Composition and Lyrics: Gina Bafile (Breathe, All in Good Time, Life Force, Tomorrow Without You, Celebrity Smile, Quiet Mind, One Foot in the Grave)
Composition: ‘Take Me Far’ by Maaz Manik, Lyrics: Maaz Manik and Gina Bafile
Composition: ‘Leap Before You Die’ by Krissy Sanfead (overall guitar concept) and Gina Bafile, Lyrics: Gina Bafile
Composition & Lyrics: Bonus Track – ‘Tested the Water’ by James Michael
Cover Art: ‘Dove & Raven’ Image by Fern Gadd Artistry, Layout by Gina Bafil

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA:
SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/artist/4VRJy3osm0rMsYthOvKfKM
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@Darkyramusic
FACEBOOK – https://www.facebook.com/DarkyraOfficial/
BANDCAMP – https://darkyrablack.bandcamp.com
INSTAGRAM -https://www.instagram.com/DarkyraMusic/
WEBSITE – https://www.darkyramusic.com/
https://darkyraofficial.wixsite.com/ginabafile
http://www.garrykingmic.com/
http://www.laforetgoupe.com/
http://www.battlegod-productions.com

Australian symphonic metal band DARKYRA has announced the release of their third album ‘Life Force‘ in early 2025. A brand new video teaser can be viewed below.

“Life Force” is the third release from Gina Bafile under the Darkyra brand and the third involving drummer and producer, Garry King. Life-Force is a collection of songs based around both the light and dark aspects of human nature, It is a walk through an eclectic mind. Cinematic storytelling driven by the push pull of good and evil, the inner and outer demons, slaves to a virtual world yet there are those still willing to give it all for a Celebrity Smile.

Tracklist:

1. Breathe
2. All in Good Time
3. Life Force
4. Tomorrow Without You
5. Take me Far Away
6. Celebrity Smile
7. Quiet the Mind
8. Foot in the Grave
9. Leap While You’re Alive
10. Tested the Water (Bonus Track)

The cover art features the beautiful Raven and Dove Yin Yang created by American Airbrush Artist Fern Gadd.

“Life Force” we see it fade slowly in the sick as they slip away. We feel the vibrancy of the youth who have time and energy to play… and within our memories the fallen. Forever loved, sometimes felt as if they still remain. “Life Force” flows within us all. It is the unity of strangers across the globe, the creation of magic in the form of music. The spirit within that speaks volumes and Darkyra, abscent for some time has not forgotten how, for she has much to say….after all…THE WORLD’S A STAGE!

Featuring a long cast of extraordinary musicians and collaborators from around the globe and solely produced by Garry King (Jeff Beck/Joe Lynn Turner Tours) at La Foret Groupe in the South West of France.

Main Collaborators on the recording of the album:

Gina Bafile – Vocals, Backing vocals
Garry King – Drums, Backing vocals, Production
Gus Mansur – Guitar
Fab Jablonski – Keyboards / Synth
Lucio Manca – Bass

Guest Musicians:

Kristen Sanfead – Guitar (Leap While You’re Alive)
Maaz Manik – Bass (Celebrity Smile, Take Me Far)
Vinni Bafile – Guitar (Quiet the Mind)

The story about DARKYRA

Darkyra – Something special, something you have never heard before! “Upon first listen you may liken it to industry greats such as Within Temptation or even Tarja (ex-Nightwish) but in doing so you wouldn’t even come close. Very few women in the industry are able to weave music in such a way as Darkyra and make music her own muse.” – EvilG, Metal Rules

Dragon Tears…

It was through the company ‘Online Recording Masters’ based in Athens, Greece that vocalist and songwriter, Gina Bafile found the musicians for what was to become her very first record called ‘Dragon Tears’. Owner/musical arranger (Online Recoding Masters) George Boussounis formed an introduction with drummer/producer Garry King (Jeff Beck, Joe Lynn Turner) and Gina’s ideas for her very first concept under the Darkyra pseudonym started to evolve.

Three additional session musicians were brought in to join the Darkyra team for the 2013 recordings, guitarist Paul Jupe, Betovani Dinelli, and keyboard player Fab Jablonski. The first Darkyra track prior to the full album release came out on an official video for the single ‘Tears by Candlelight’ in 2013 generating much interest in the full record. “Dragon Tears” a concept album based on a Gothic interpretation of a geisha like tale that ends in tragedy, love, loss, lust, betrayal and revenge, was released in February 2014.

The album built instant critical acclaim internationally as a fine blend of symphonic/gothic metal with powerful vocal performances and progressive/classic rock elements of traditional pentatonic music with an overall ‘Cinematic’ sound and feel. “All eleven numbers here are different but are very fluent and offer up musical highlights galore, too numerous to mention, ensure you keep the CD in the player to the VERY end.

To summarize, Darkyra is Dark, Passionate and Edgy and demonstrating fine vocal prowess” – Ravenheartmusic Review (6th February 2014)

Of Fools and Gold Now…

With the first record under her belt and amazing reviews it was time to set the scene and start the next stage of creating songs and music for a second follow up album and plan ahead for live shows and touring. In January 2014 even before Dragon Tears was officially released.

Darkyra had already started work on 15 new track ideas ready for an April studio sessions deadline in the historic city of Athens. With George and Garry being based in Europe plans were laid for the three with guitarist Betovani and Keyboard player Fab Jablonski to start work recording drums, guitars, guide keys and main vocal parts for what should be the most amazing and powerful follow up record.

A new vision…

By the end of 2014 and prior to completion of the new ‘Fool’ album, Gina made the decision to convert Darkyra from a studio project to a performing band recruiting musicians from her hometown Perth, Western Australia. The first ever Darkyra performance was in April 2015 where songs from both the debut ‘Dragon Tears’ and ‘Fool’ were played live for the very first time.

‘Fool’ was released mid 2015 and features the guest bass work of Tony Dolan (M-Pire of Evil, X Venom) on the track titled, Truth or Dare. With a very strong story line and searing string sections, Darkyra’s memorable melodies and passionate vocal performances throughout all 11 songs once again set a standard very hard to beat and certainly hard to ignore both lyrically and musically.

Twist of Fate…

Sadly, Darkyra’s scheduled European tour secured March 31st – April 10th, 2016, through TJ Concerts was cancelled due Gina’s unexpected cancer diagnosis and the band had put plans on hold indefinitely.

Back With a Vengeance…

In 2024, after a 8-year long hiatus, Darkyra began again with Gina’s collaboration with both International and Australian musicians for what would become her third release, titled ‘Lifeforce’ and scheduled for completion sometime early 2025.

http://laforetgroupe.com
https://www.darkyramusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/DarkyraOfficial
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4VRJy3osm0rMsYthOvKfKM
https://www.youtube.com/@Darkyramusic