Words by Jai “That Aussie Metal Guy” Anderson | Crannk.com
When it comes to artists who pour every ounce of their soul into the music, Gina Bafile—the creative force behind Darkyra—stands in a league of her own. With a voice that shifts seamlessly between operatic grandeur and raw emotional grit, Gina has carved out a unique sonic identity in the world of cinematic, gothic, and progressive metal.
In this exclusive Crannk’d Up video interview, I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Gina to talk all about Darkyra’s upcoming third full-length album, Life Force—an emotionally powerful and musically ambitious record that’s as vulnerable as it is defiant. We also dig into her exciting new role as the lead vocalist for Anfitrite, and explore everything from her creative inspirations to the real-life struggles behind some of the album’s most personal tracks.
🎵 Life Force – A Decade-Long Creative Journey
Life Force marks the third release under the Darkyra banner—a collaborative venture between Gina Bafile and legendary drummer/producer Garry King (Jeff Beck, Joe Lynn Turner). Their creative chemistry goes back a full decade, and it shows. This time around, both Gina and Garry took on production and arrangement duties, with Garry handling editing and mixing at La Foret Studios in the southwest of France.
The album itself is a melting pot of cinematic metal, gothic rock, art rock, progressive, and opera metal, laced with powerful melodies, emotional storytelling, and world-class musicianship. But what makes Life Force stand out is how personal it is—each track dives into complex human experiences: grief, autism, illness, identity, and inner strength.
💔 Themes That Hit Close To Home
From the tender reflection of Tomorrow Without You (dealing with the loss of a parent) to the inner chaos of Quiet the Mind (a song for restless souls), Life Force is more than just music—it’s a story of resilience. Other standout tracks include:
- All In Good Time – touching on autism in early childhood
- Breathe – inspired by learning to rise again after a battle with cancer
- One Foot in the Grave – exploring the loneliness of the elderly
- Celebrity Smile – a commentary on superficial fame and digital illusion
There’s a sense of catharsis in these songs that goes beyond genre boundaries. Gina doesn’t just sing about emotions—she sings through them.
🎤 New Voice of Anfitrite
If that wasn’t exciting enough, Gina also recently stepped into the role of lead vocalist for the internationally respected symphonic metal band Anfitrite. In our chat, she opens up about what drew her to the band, how she plans to bring her unique style into their world, and what’s next for both projects. It’s a thrilling new chapter that fans of dark, theatrical, and melodic metal will definitely want to watch closely.
👑 Musicianship & Lineup
Life Force features a stellar cast of global musicians, including:
- Garry King – Drums, Percussion, Loops, Backup Vocals
- Lucio Manca – Bass Guitar (majority of tracks)
- Gus Mansur – Guitars across all tracks
- Fab Jablonski – Keyboard, Piano, Synth
- Maaz Manik – Bass on “Celebrity Smile” and “Take Me Far Away”
- Vinni Bafile – Clean & Drone Guitar on “Quiet the Mind”
- James Michael – Guitar contributions on “Breathe” and “Tested the Water”
🎧 What To Expect Sonically
Compared to previous albums, Life Force shifts the focus slightly—less synth-heavy, with the vocals blended more deeply into the mix to create a raw, rock-driven edge. There’s a deliberate nod to the 80s rock vibe, but it never loses the haunting beauty and layered complexity that fans love about Darkyra. Think Kate Bush meets Tarja meets Devin Townsend—but filtered through Gina’s one-of-a-kind lens.
🔥 Final Thoughts
This is not just another release—it’s a statement. A deeply human, gorgeously dark, and musically rich expression of pain, healing, and connection. Life Force doesn’t just ask to be heard—it demands to be felt.
Big thanks to Gina for an incredible chat. Be sure to check out the full interview via the links below—this one’s a must-watch for fans of gothic, symphonic, progressive, and cinematic metal.
Follow Darkyra
🌐 https://www.darkyra.com
📸 @darkyraband
📘 facebook.com/darkyraofficial
Written by:
Jai “That Aussie Metal Guy” Anderson
🔥 Crannk.com – Supporting the heavy underground worldwide
