The Hourglass - Through Darkness And Light (2014)

"I believe this band can go far; all the elements are there. Hopefully Through Darkness and Light will launch them into bigger and bigger things. They definitely deserve it."
Allyson Kenning, 9.5/10 www.soniccathedral.com

" This is an awesome album with very hard hitting and poetic lyrics throughout and I must recommend this cd whole heartedly when it gets released in February."
Dave Smith,  9/ 10 www.ravenheartmusic.com

The Hourglass - Biography

The Hourglass is a symphonic/gothic/industrial metal band, formed by Alma Vomastek (vocals, keyboards, songwriting, lyrics), Bogdan Mara (drums) and Vlad Negrea (guitar), in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The name was carefully chosen to represent a connection between old and new, classical and modern (musically speaking) and also, to keep a general idea that everything that has a beginning, also has an end.

The band started as a studio project, having only a 4-5 songs demo recording in plan. The main reason to start this way is that a band cannot aim high or represent any interest to the local scene until there are at least some demo quality songs to be presented to the local public on social networks (Facebook, Reverbnation or Myspace).
The goal of The Hourglass was to create something new, something that could combine different genres into a new sound. After many musical experiments in songwriting regarding subjects, atmosphere and sounds used, the band crystallized a sound represented by heavy guitars and strong rhythmics, symphonic and industrial keyboard sounds, all combined with a classical soprano voice. A symphonic/industrial metal hybrid.

On the 30th of December 2011,The Hourglass released online the first self-produced studio material, "Requiem", a 5 songs demo that represents a mixture of feelings, harmonies and styles. Mircea Petreus joined the crew with his bass skills right before the last two songs were recorded. From a ballad (In Remembrance) to a strong industrial metal influenced song (The Fall), they tried to explore the strongest human beliefs and feelings.

The spring of 2012 brings the last missing member in the band: Ioana Dirva, a pianist drawn by the idea of playing on a synthesizer and trying a different musical approach. After a strong live debut as an opening act for Theatres des Vampires (Italy) in Cluj-Napoca on the 20th of April 2012, one of the founding members, Vlad Negrea (guitar) left the band for personal reasons, followed by Mircea Petreus (bass), three months later. Even so, the formula of five was completed quick, without affecting the band's rehearsals schedule and upcoming concerts. With Andrei Buciuta (guitar) and Traian Toderean (bass), The Hourglass was complete again, ready to rock the local stage (and more) with the new members and songs.

The end of 2013 comes with line-up changes: Andrei and Traian left the band due to the tight schedule of their studies, to be replaced in a short time by none other than Vlad Negrea, who takes the guitarist role once again, joining the band together with a new friend: Cristian Florea (the bassist of Shadowsail).

The Hourglass's debut album, "Through Darkness And Light" was released on the 28th of March 2014, so let's see what this will bring on the table for this band!

Track listing:

1.Dying Star 04:32
2.Rise 04:35
3.Away 03:58
4.Dare 04:29
5.Requiem 03:59
6.Dies Irae 04:02
7.The Fall 04:09
8.Magdalene 04:14
9.Abandoned 09:50
10.In Remembrance 03:59
11.Way Home 04:12
 
Links:
Website : www.the-hourglass.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/TheHourglassRomania
Bandcamp: www.thehourglassro.bandcamp.com
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/thehourglassromania