DARK ORDER

Raul Alvarez (vocals, guitar); Zoran Mrakic (bass); Mick McCartney (drums); Doug Dalton (guitar)

Aggressive speed metal band with a feel and execution similar to Slayer. The band was originally called Vanadium, but due to conflict with another band with the same name became Dark Order. Formed in 1992 around the core of Alvarez and Mrakic, the band suffered numerous changes in personnel, particularly in the drumming and guitar departments until settling down in 1995 with Raul's brother Marco and former Aftermath guitarist Leif Gregory. This line-up began work on the excellent 5000 Years of Violence album but before it was completed Gregory was shafted when it became obvious his drug problem was becoming way out of hand and Joe Orlic was brought in to replace him. The resultant CD is a slice of technical, riff-laden and blasting thrash metal which pays allegiances to like of Slayer and is recommended. Marco Alvarez left the band in late 1998 and was replaced temporarily by Graham Goode (Automation), then by Steve Govic in mid-1999, although his stay was short and by October Dark Order was again without a drummer and lead guitarist. Nawar Dalati (guitar) and Vladimir Troussov (drums) joined Dark Order in mid-2000 but Dalati's stay was also short. By late 2002, the band was down to Alvarez and Mrakic with Steve Moore from Dungeon filling in on drums. Despite this, Dark Order pressed on with their second album (with Lord Tim from Dungeon providing some guitar parts) and supported Destruction in November 2002. In April 2003, Dalati rejoined the band but left again shortly before Mick McCartney joined as Dark Order's first permanent drummer in several years. Ex-Suiciety and Grungeon guitarist Doug Dalton joined Dark Order in mid-2004.

Discography:

The Violence Continuum (Something For Now) 2002

Raul Alvarez (vocals, guitar)
Zoran Mrakic (bass)
Vladamir Troussov (drums)

Lord Tim (guitar)
  1. Mission to the Continuum...
  2. ...War Has Begun
  3. The Terran Empire
  4. Slaves of a Nameless God
  5. En Sabah Nur
  6. Systemized Jewish Nazism
  7. Condition: Red
  8. Built of Blood, Not Stone
  9. Overture
  10. Blood of the Sea
  11. Once More Unto the Breach

5000 Years of Violence (Oracle) 1998

Raul Alvarez (vocals, guitar)
Zoran Mrakic (bass)
Marco Alvarez (drums)
Joe Orlic (guitar)
  1. What is Past is Prelude
  2. Odio Puro
  3. Lord of the Warzone
  4. Beasts Within
  5. Attrition of Fear
  6. Tyrannical
  7. Warrior God King
  8. The Dark Order
  9. Rise and Kill

Compilation track: The Terran Empire -- Metal for the Brain 2001 (Metal for the Brain) 2001

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Related entries: Addictive, Aftermath, Automation, Dungeon, Grungeon

This page is part of The Australian Metal Guide