Biography

Karuna is a melodic Metal band from Ireland. Formerly known as Dark Crystal, the band has been around in various forms since 2002. A demo was released in 2003 called "In the Arms of the Mountain". Gaining critical acclaim among fans of neo-classical and power metal, it managed to generate enough momentum to reach Number 2 in the mp3.com Power Metal chart at the time, rising above established bands such as Dragonforce and Nightwish for a short period, but never quite managing to topple Blind Guardian from the top spot!

The band's second release, “Neitherworld”, is a self-financed 3-track CD released in September 2009. On “Neitherworld”, the music features a more straight ahead melodic power metal sound, with powerful guitar riffs and big choruses. Karuna has been compared to bands as wide ranging as Angra, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Rhapsody of Fire, Hammerfall, Power Quest and Judas Priest. The band has been inspired by many different sources, inside and outside of Metal music, the result being new and fresh sounding slice of Metal that doesn't draw too heavily on any particular style. “Naitherworld” contains some subtle folk and classical influences, reminiscent of the old Dark Crystal demo, but with an original and distinctive sound, Karuna are ready to forge a new path for themselves in the current Rock and Metal world. Featuring powerful high melodic vocal lines reminiscent of Dickinson and Kiske, one of the trademarks of Karuna is the catchy melodies and vocal hooks, as well as dark and atmospheric musical passages, and solo sections that bring the listener on a mystical journey through various soundscape twists and turns. The vocal production and backing vocal arrangements by Karl Groom give the melodies a polished sound that was difficult to achieve in the past using home recording.

In terms in inspiration, Karuna is about expression and evolution. It embodies a new vision of music as primarily a spiritual journey between two points, not relative to time. The songs also aim to tell stories from various conscious beings, from different points in space and time. Karuna also uses music to explore new states of consciousness and awareness, with the underlying notion that there is no separation whatsoever; that all energy is connected, and that consciousness is universal. All will be revealed on the journey!

For each song on "Neitherworld", some brief background information is provided on the Music page.