At first sight, Crimson Butterfly is an accustomed piece of Gothic Metal with the well known ingredients. Female and male vocal duels, not too heavy instrumentation and simple songs. After I had a closer look, a few more facets showed up on the surface. I could find elements of different styles, among these Power-, Death- and Progressive Metal influences. DARKSKY are able to combine all these puzzle pieces conveniently but the mixture is not outstanding. The guitar work is really well, some leads and solos are Brownie Points. In addition to that the male part of the vocal performance convinces me because of its variation, but the lady sounds out of tune in high pitches. Nonetheless she fits in well somehow and completes the overall view. The songs’ playing time exceeds the average duration, so all the five songs are epical, but not kitschy. DARKSKY use a lot of changes in speed and measure without loosing sight of the thread.
Unfortunately DARKSKY are not able to write really good refrains on this first long play album (after a Demo and a mini CD). Where are the hooks that don’t leave the long-term-memory no more? This is a pity, but so DARKSKY can’t be pegged as easy to digest musical fast food. There are a few highlights on Crimson Butterfly like the piano melody in Concealed By An Illusion, the groovy middle part of Lex Aeterna, the variation in general and the well done combination of different styles and tempos. The album is concluded by a pure instrumental track and sets the priorities on the technical aspect, guitar and keyboard have some skirmishes in filigree manner. The hook lines, the female voice and the pressed male singing in the beginning of Lex Aeterna are improvable in my opinion. Last mentioned performance resembles of a Hardcore band and this attitude does not match. Sometimes the band tinkers a bit, but the music does not get too complicated.
All in all, Crimson Butterfly remains too less spectacular to leave a lasting mark. It holds some suspenseful moments, offers certain heaviness and speed, but DARKSKY do not hit the jackpot yet – not inconvenient, but sometimes insignificantly, these 37 minutes dabble by without affecting or elating me deeply.