Forgotten Reveries & Eternal Memories: 21 Years of Darktribe

Forgotten Reveries & Eternal Memories: 21 Years of Darktribe

For more than two decades, French power metal band Darktribe has carved out a unique place in the global metal scene. From their beginnings in Nice to international stages in Japan, and even sharing the spotlight with legends like Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Darktribe’s journey has been one of resilience, evolution, and passion.

With their latest release, Forgotten Reveries on Scarlet Records, the band continues to explore deep themes of life, solitude, and spirituality, while staying true to the melodic power metal sound that has defined them since their debut. In this candid conversation, bassist and founding member Bruno Caprani reflects on the band’s history, their creative process, unforgettable experiences on the road, and their hopes of finally bringing Darktribe to the United States.

Where is Darktribe based, and what is the local music scene like there?
We’re from the southeast of France, around Nice. The scene here is somewhere in between—not great, but not terrible either. In France, extreme metal is more common, so for a power metal band it’s not always easy. Still, there are opportunities if you push hard enough.

You’ve been on Scarlet Records for three albums now. How did you end up working with them, and what has the experience been like?
Julien, our former drummer, helped us secure the deal originally, though he’s no longer with the band for personal reasons. After our first album with Massacre Records, we were searching for a new label. Scarlet Records stood out as one of the best for power metal, so we approached them in 2015 for The Modern Age.

Since then, they’ve been very supportive. That’s important—some big labels sign bands but don’t really pay attention to them. Scarlet listens to us, stays connected, and treats us like part of their family. We have a great relationship with Philippe and Angelo there, and it means a lot to feel truly heard by your record company.

Your new album is called Forgotten Reveries. Is there an overall story or concept behind it?
No, this one isn’t a concept album. We did that with Voici l’homme, which was based on the New Testament and Christian themes. For Forgotten Reveries, we wanted to explore different subjects—deep themes like fear, solitude, the journey of life, and family. The title reflects that mix of emotions and ideas rather than a single storyline.

The single “I Walk Alone” has a powerful title. What’s the song about?
It’s about a man facing his death. He walks alone, caught between his humanity and his memories, confronting the end of his life. That’s the essence of the song.

Your second single, “Ghost Memories,” is an intriguing name. Can you tell us about it?
It’s about the spirit—how it floats, suspended in the will of the gods who sometimes play with it. You might be a warrior or a peacemaker, but ultimately you’re the master of nothing. Life itself reminds us of this balance: you are someone, and at the same time you are not. It’s the circle of life. As long as you are alive, you will remain, but your spirit is always in between. That’s the main theme of “Ghost Memories.”

How did your recent show at Rising Fest go, and what were some highlights?
Rising Fest in Dijon is a great festival—we also actually played there 10 years ago. The highlight for me was how warmly they welcomed us. The organizers were kind, the audience was amazing, and the venue was packed even though we played in the afternoon. The lineup was strong too, with Grand Magus headlining. Seeing them perform was a real treat. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.

You also played in Japan at Evoken Fest. What was that experience like?
It was terrific. We’ve played in Japan twice, in 2018 and 2024. Japan is really where our fan base is, and it’s always special to go there because it’s completely different from playing in Europe. We haven’t played in the U.S. yet, so I can’t compare, but Japan is unique—the people are so kind and warm.  Playing in Japan is always a very special experience for us.

I saw British Lion at the Whisky in Hollywood, and then Iron Maiden the next night at the Forum. Tell me about your experience touring with Steve Harris and British Lion.
The first time you meet Steve Harris, it’s surreal. We’ve been huge Iron Maiden fans for years—like millions of people around the world. Suddenly your idol is right in front of you, shaking your hand.

That first show was incredible. Steve was very friendly and welcomed us into the British Lion family right away. The whole band did—David Hawkins, Simon Dawson, everyone. We still keep in touch with them. Steve is honestly the kindest rock star I’ve ever met, and I’ll always cherish those moments. Playing with British Lion is one of the highlights of Darktribe’s history. Sharing the stage with your idol, and discovering he’s as kind as you hoped, is unforgettable.

He’s a bassist, you’re a bassist—did you talk shop?
Absolutely. We talked about bass, but also about hundreds of other subjects, music and beyond. He was so open and friendly with us. I’ll never forget what Steve brought to us on that tour.

Is there any chance of Darktribe coming to the U.S. to support this album?
We’ve always wanted to play in the United States. We’ve approached ProgPower USA in Atlanta several times, but the slots were already taken for years in advance. It’s difficult, but we haven’t lost hope.

I monitor Spotify for Artists and Apple Music, and the U.S. is actually our number one country for listeners. We know we have a lot of fans there, so we really hope to make it happen one day.

It would be amazing to see Darktribe at the Whisky in Hollywood. Steve Harris and British Lion did it—you can too.
Exactly. We played with Steve, so we can do it as well!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Modern Age. Looking back, what does that album mean to you now?
Ten years—it feels like yesterday. Time flies, and yes, we’ve gotten older, with white hair and beards now. But The Modern Age is still very special. A lot of people loved that album, and for me, each record is like a photograph of the band at the time it was composed.  The Modern Age and Forgotten Reveries are both modern in their production, but they’re very different. Voici l’homme was more introspective, with its huge theme of the New Testament.

Darktribe is now 21 years old. You celebrated your 20th anniversary last year. What goes through your mind knowing you’ve been doing this for two decades?
Yes, 21 years. Technically, we started playing together back in 2004, but Darktribe’s official history began in 2009 with the release of our first EP. Since then, there have been so many experiences—shows, albums, good times, and of course some difficult ones. The pandemic was rough, and Voici l’homme was released just two months before the lockdown, which made things even more challenging.

Over the years, we’ve grown and evolved. In 2023, my best friend and brother-like figure Julien left the band after 19 years, which was a big change for us. But that’s part of the journey. You can hear our growth in the music—we’ve become wiser through the years.

You have a new album out and a new year ahead. What’s next for Darktribe?
Right now, we’re working on finding a booking agency. Forgotten Reveries has opened new opportunities for us, and we’re really happy with the response. The reviews have been excellent—webzines everywhere have praised the album. That’s encouraging, and it’s helping us line up tours and shows. There are a lot of things pending, and hopefully we’ll be able to share more news in the coming months.

Do you have a message for your fans in the United States?
First of all, thank you. Music is about sharing emotions—giving something to people and receiving it back. That exchange is an achievement in itself, even if you don’t live a “rock star” career.

We can’t wait to come to the U.S. It’s a huge country, and we know we have fans there. Personally, I’ve been to California twice and I love Los Angeles. We hope to play there—maybe next year or the year after. More globally, we just want to say thank you for your support. We’re eager to bring Darktribe to the States.

In Conclusion

Darktribe’s journey is proof that passion, perseverance, and authenticity can carry a band across decades and continents. From their beginnings in Nice to unforgettable nights in Tokyo, from sharing stages with Steve Harris to releasing Forgotten Reveries, Bruno Caprani and his bandmates continue to evolve while staying true to their vision. As they look ahead to new tours, new opportunities, and hopefully a long-awaited debut in the United States, Darktribe remains committed to what matters most: creating music that connects deeply with fans and stands the test of time.

(Interview by Ken Morton)

Darktribe is:
Anthony Agnello – vocals
Loïc Manuello – guitars, keyboards
Bruno Caprani – bass
Guillaume Morero – drums

Darktribe on Instagram