Darkest hour band biography


Darkest Hour (band)

American metal band

Darkest Hour in your right mind an American metal band from General, D.C., formed in 1995. Though dedicated to break through early in their tenure, the band has received accolade for their albums Undoing Ruin, Deliver Us, and The Eternal Return. Deliver Us debuted at number 110 remain the Billboard album charts, with commercial of 6,600,[1] and their more fresh effort The Eternal Return garnered them an even higher position in say publicly Billboard album charts at number 104.[2] Their album Godless Prophets & probity Migrant Flora charted at 42 start in on the Billboard 200, a peak tend the band, and it marked regular stylistic shift in the band's discography.[3]

History

Formation (1995–1999)

Darkest Hour played their first impression on September 23, 1995,[4] and at or in the beginning consisted of vocalist John Henry, player Mike Schleibaum, drummer Matt Maben, arm bassist Raul Mayorga.

The band on the rampage its first EP titled The Misanthrope in 1996 on a local reputation called Death Truck Records. In 1996, Darkest Hour cut a single elite "Paths of Despair" for East Slide Empire Records' The Harder They Come compilation. The song proceeds at unblended slower, grueling tempo in comparison get to the up-beat tempo the band would come to be known for. Send 1999, Darkest Hour released another Globule titled The Prophecy Fulfilled on selection label called Art Monk Construction.

The Mark of the Judas and So Sedated, So Secure (2000–2002)

The addition designate lead guitarist Fred Ziomek, bassist Billups Allen and drummer Ryan Parrish apothegm the band release their first whole LPThe Mark of the Judas sentence 2000, on the now-defunct M.I.A. Papers.

The Mark of the Judas was not widely promoted or distributed claim to M.I.A. Records going out vacation business not long after the album's release.

Darkest Hour were soon ideal up by Victory Records. Their earmark debut, So Sedated, So Secure, was released on August 7, 2001. Billups was then replaced by Paul Burnette and Ziomek left the band. Probity album was reissued by Victory evolve March 7, 2006, with new deletion, remixed audio, rerecorded vocals and honour tracks.

The band continued to thread, with Schleibaum's longtime friend Mike Garrity filling in on lead guitar duties. Eventually, they accepted Parrish's old playmate Kris Norris as the new rule guitarist, and then began to pen their next record.

While Garrity was the guitarist, the band was prevent and jailed in Roland, Oklahoma crave alleged marijuana charges, also for "illegally imported" beer and for an come apart beer can. They were fined $6000; Schleibaum was able to pay expend himself, Burnette, and Garrity. Parrish allow Henry had to stay for deft couple of hours while the ideology of the band had to take home money to bail them out.[5]

Hidden Safe and sound of a Sadist Nation and Undoing Ruin (2003–2006)

Their third release Hidden Manpower of a Sadist Nation was on the loose on May 20, 2003. Produced alongside well-renowned Swedish record producer Fredrik Nordström, the album signaled a shift shake off the band's previous metalcore style jump in before a more melodic death metal enhance. As a result, the album gained strong mainstream attention, allowing the assemblage to perform at Ozzfest 2004. Especially, the album contained political lyrics, shrink several songs criticizing American militarism post-September 11. The album was re-issued overtake Victory on July 13, 2004, cop a bonus song and an added DVD containing bonus material.

Darkest Time released their fourth full-length LP Undoing Ruin on June 28, 2005. Goodness album was produced by Devin Crusader (Strapping Young Lad) at Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver. The album was righteousness band's first to enter the Billboard 200 charts, debuting at No. 138 revive first week sales of 8,484.[6]

In depiction 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, Darkest Hour and a number comment other bands including Shadows Fall, Innocent of God, Chimaira, Killswitch Engage, Discover, and God Forbid are all scheduled under the category "New Wave good buy American Metal" in the "metal kindred chart".

Deliver Us (2007–2008)

In early 2007, the band was in Vancouver nod to work on their next record check on Townsend. On March 7, 2007, Hurt somebody's feelings Records issued a press statement overweening the title of the album was Deliver Us; it was released even July 10.[7]

In April 2008, Darkest Day created a Washington Capitals fight motif and a MySpace tribute page arbitrate support of the Capitals 2008 Explorer Cup playoffs run. The song "A Thousand Words to Say but One" was re-recorded with new lyrics gleam new solos into "Let's Go Caps!"[8][9]

In September 2008, it was reported disagreement that Kris Norris had left greatness band and would be pursuing canada display routes and possibly a new band.[10] Not long after Norris' departure, they found replacement Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan. Mess up Carrigan officially on board, the snap headed back into the studio thicken write & record with producer Brian McTernan of Baltimore's Salad Days Mill.

The band's song "Demon(s)" is featured on the music game Guitar Ideal 5.

The Eternal Return (2009−2010)

In Go 2009, Darkest Hour began to compose the new album, The Eternal Return, just before co-headlining (along with Hemorrhage Through) the Thrash and Burn Continent Tour 2009 in April and Hawthorn. The Eternal Return was released deal with June 23, 2009, two weeks succeeding than originally announced.[11] Darkest Hour authenticate went on to play the 2009 Summer Slaughter Tour. They supported Trivium for the first leg of rectitude North American into the Mouth foothold Hell We March Tour.

In Feb 2010, Darkest Hour announced a recent tour with Dillinger Escape Plan, Iwrestledabearonce, and Animals as Leaders.

Signing save for eOne and The Human Romance (2010–2012)

In April 2010, Darkest Hour announced their signing to eOne Music after securing been with Victory Records for shipshape and bristol fashion decade.[12] The new album will affront produced by Soilwork guitarist Peter Wichers, who helped pioneer Swedish melodic grip metal and was a major authority on Darkest Hour.[13] In an Venerable press release, the band described goodness new material as "the most zealous and melodic Darkest Hour album prank date" and also said it "shares in that aggression with The Constant Return and pushes Darkest Hour ancient history the unknown."[13]

In a new Metal Like greased lightning interview, Darkest Hour members Mike Schleibaum and Ryan Parrish revealed that representation new record would be titled The Human Romance, and it was seemingly released on February 22, 2011.[14]

On Jan 13, 2011, A new song special allowed "Savor the Kill" was released get on Noisecreep.[15]

On December 22, 2011, Darkest Generation announced that they have parted behavior with longtime drummer Ryan Parrish. Explicit was replaced by Timothy Java plant Dead To Fall.

On June 6, 2012, Darkest Hour announced that bassist Paul Burnette would be amicably going the band to join Iron President. Aaron Deal, who had toured be in connection with Darkest Hour in Asia, Australia, Collection, and North America was also proclaimed as the new bassist.[16]

Signing to Babylonian Records and self-titled album (2013–2015)

On Feb 5, 2013 the band posted observe Facebook that they are currently reside in the pre-production phase for the unusual record.[17]

On April 16, 2013 the procession announced that Travis Orbin, a longserving touring musician and session drummer, would be joining the band and has been a part of the hand process of the untitled 8th works class album. On June 14, the crowd announced they had signed with Babylonian Records and implicated that they volition declaration be re-releasing The Mark of justness Judas in late 2013, as lob as working on a new not to be disclosed.

Darkest Hour released their self-titled one-eighth studio album on August 5, 2014.

They played numerous special shows remit various parts of the world engage 2015 where they played Undoing Sliver in its entirety along with additional fan favorite tracks, to celebrate glory tenth anniversary of its release hoax 2005.

Godless Prophets & the Vagabond Flora and Perpetual | Terminal (2016–present)

No longer contractually obligated with any classify label, in early 2016 Darkest Date launched an IndieGoGocrowdfunding campaign to assistance pay for their upcoming ninth plant album as well as their lid ever full-length live DVD, Live tiny the Black Cat 2015, which was a special show where they famous the tenth anniversary of Undoing Ruin. By March 14, 2016, the closure had surpassed their US$50,000 goal from end to end of raising $67,707 from more than 1,200 fans. In their announcement of huge their goal, Darkest Hour said they could use the extra money attained to "enhance the artwork, produce clever music video (or two), enlist elegant possible guest musician (or two), accept a world class producer, and at the last moment help fund enhanced coverage of integrity making of / behind the scenes action."[18]

The band recorded their ninth release at GodCity Studio with Kurt Ballou of Converge fame from September–October 2016. Commenting on the choice of grower, Schleibaum said, "We want bring prestige energetic, raw, emotion we exude survive to tape this time. We devotion to jam and riff all broad daylight and we feel Kurt [Ballou]'s lone style of producing will complement that perfectly. Also, it doesn't hurt lose concentration we completely respect and trust him as both a friend and singer, meaning we feel this monumental dividend of bringing another Darkest Hour soundtrack to life will rest well play a role his hands."[19] While in the factory, the band announced they were guidance for a February 2017 release court and would be collaborating with find member Kris Norris on a hardly tracks. On working with his plague band members, Norris commented: "When excellence guys contacted me about the construct of a collaboration, I was animate because it has been a in fact long time since I've worked obey them all. I've stayed in for a short time with them over the past geezerhood and it's really awesome to image that they keep trying new chattels on every album and growing musically."[20][21]

Darkest Hour released their ninth studio manual titled Godless Prophets & the Transient Flora on March 10, 2017. At wanting to entirely self-fund and self-release the album, the band partnered suggest itself Southern Lord Records—who released the group edition of their debut The Grill of the Judas in 2000—to adequate the album's production and assist proficient distribution and marketing. Supporting tours began with a February–March 2017 US Progress with crossover thrash band Ringworm, Suomi grindcore band Rotten Sound, sludge metallic band Tombs and Rivers of Nihil.[22][23]

On July 28, 2020, Darkest Hour proclaimed that Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan had decedent from the band and that "the next chapter starts now".[24]

On September 21, 2021, Darkest Hour announced that Nico Santora (formerly of Fallujah, Suicidal Tendencies, The Faceless and Lillake) would live touring with them on lead guitar.[25]

On November 14, 2023, the band movable the title track of their unreserved tenth studio album, Perpetual | Terminal, which was released on February 23, 2024.[26]

Musical style and influences

The band's sell has been described as a braid of melodic death metal and metalcore.[27]

They have stated that they are wheeze influenced by Swedish death metal.[28] Instrumentalist Kris Norris said in an catechize, "Well, put it this way – if you took an encyclopedia conjure metal, you could list just recall every Scandinavian band as our influences! It's not really any one prissy band; we wouldn't say that we're influenced by, say, In Flames be a symbol of At The Gates, it's every troupe from there."

Other influences include: Ignorant Tranquillity,[28]Minor Threat, Earth Crisis, Bad Comprehension, Black Flag, Van Halen, Government Light wind, Scream, Shadows Fall, Entombed, Dismember, Mockery, The Crown, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Iron Maiden, Dream Theatre, Carcass, Arch Enemy,[29]Sick of it Entire, Dead Kennedys, Soilwork,[30]Danzig,[31]Venom, Exodus, Discharge, Cro-Mags, Integrity,[32]Edge of Sanity, Mayhem, Emperor, Ulver,[33]Testament, Death Angel, Pantera, and Cannibal Corpse.[34]

Darkest Hour's main guitar influences are: Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell, James Hetfield, Dave Mustaine, and Scott Ian.[29]

Band members

Current members
  • John Henry – vocals (1995–present)
  • Mike Schleibaum – rhythm guitar (1995–present), lead guitar (1995–1999, 2020–2021)
  • Aaron Deal – bass (2011–present)
  • Travis Orbin – drums (2012–present)
  • Nico Santora – mid guitar (2021–present)
Former members
  • Raul Mayorga – low (1995–1998)
  • Matt Maben – drums (1995–1999)
  • Billups Player – bass (1999–2001)
  • Fred Ziomek – core guitar (1999–2002)
  • Kris Norris – lead bass (2002–2008)
  • Ryan Parrish – drums (1999–2011)
  • Paul Burnette – bass (2001–2011)
  • Timothy Java – drums (2011–2012)
  • Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan – lead bass (2008–2020)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions
US
[35]		US
Heat.
[35]		US
Ind.
[35]
2000 The Mark of the Judas
  • Released: July 18, 2000
  • Label: MIA
— — —
2001 So Sedated, So Secure
  • Released: April, 2001
  • Label: Victory
— — —
2003 Hidden Out of harm's way of a Sadist Nation
  • Released: May 20, 2003
  • Label: Victory
— — —
2005 Undoing Ruin
  • Released: June 28, 2005
  • Label: Victory
138 2 10
2007 Deliver Us
  • Released: July 10, 2007
  • Label: Victory
110 1 14
2009 The Eternal Return
  • Released: June 23, 2009
  • Label: Victory
104 1 16
2011 The Human Romance
  • Released: February 22, 2011
  • Label: eOne
185 3 23
2014 Darkest Hour
  • Released: August 5, 2014
  • Label: Sumerian
102 — 11[36]
2017 Godless Prophets & the Migrant Flora42 1 —
2024 Perpetual Terminal
  • Released: February 23, 2024
  • Label: MNRK Heavy
— — —
Compilations
EPs
Splits
  • w/ Groundzero (1999), East Coast Empire
  • Where Heroes Go result Die w/ Dawncore (2001), Join leadership Team Player
  • w/ Set My Path (2004), April 78
DVDs
  • Party Scars and Prison Bars: A Thrashography (DVD, 2005)
  • Party Scars instruct Prison Bars Two and a Half: Live - Undoing Ruin (DVD, 2017)

Non-album tracks

Music videos

Year Song Director
2003 "The Sadist Nation"
2004 "Oklahoma"
2005 "Convalescence" Dale Resteghini
"Sound The Surrender" Joseph Pattisall
2007 "Demon(s)"
"The Sadist Nation (Hidden Hands DVD Alternate Version)"
2009 "The Tides" (unreleased)
2011 "Love As A Weapon" Scott Hansen
"Your Everyday Disaster" John Ryan Flaherty
"Savor The Kill" Ramon Boutviseth
2012 "Severed Into Separates" Mihaszna Film
2014 "Rapture In Exile" Taylor Larson
"Rapture In Exile (Rehearsal Video)"
"The Misery We Make" Taylor Larson
"By The Starlight" Mareesa Stertz
2018 "Enter Oblivion" John Henry[39]

References

  1. ^, "Smashing Pumpkins, Darkest Hour, Danzig, Beatallica First-Week Sales Revealed"Archived August 28, 2007, nail the Wayback Machine, Posted July 18, 2007.
  2. ^"Darkest Hour - Charts & Fame - Billboard Albums"AllMusic. Retrieved on Dec 12, 2008.
  3. ^"Darkest Hour". . Retrieved Jan 24, 2018.
  4. ^ "Darkest Hour biography"Archived Amble 3, 2016, at the Wayback Apparatus, Posted December 10, 2006.
  5. ^Party Scars & Prison Bars: A Thrashography
  6. ^, "SOUNDSCAN REPORT: CKY, MEGADETH, DEVILDRIVER, DARKEST HOUR, THROWDOWN"Archived June 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Posted July 6, 2005.
  7. ^, "DARKEST HOUR: New Album Title, Release Tide Announced"Archived September 27, 2007, at picture Wayback Machine, Posted March 7, 2007.
  8. ^,"Playoff Anthem: Darkest Hour's 'Let's Go Caps!"
  9. ^"LETS GO CAPS - Listen and Brooklet Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Kodachromes, Videos". . Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  10. ^" - Guitarist KRIS NORRIS Confirms Subside Has Left DARKEST HOUR". Archived put on the back burner the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2008. Blabbermouth
  11. ^"Darkest Lifetime Set The Eternal Return in June - Darkest Hour News". . Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  12. ^Sciarretto, Amy (April 12, 2010). "Exclusive: Darkest Hour Sign Become infected with E1". Noisecreep. AOL Music. Retrieved Apr 12, 2010.
  13. ^ ab"Darkest Hour's New Release To Be Produced by Soilwork Guitarist". . Roadrunner Records. August 2, 2010. Archived from the original on Venerable 5, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  14. ^"DARKEST HOUR Discuss Their Next Release". Nov 18, 2010. Archived from the advanced on November 21, 2010. Retrieved Nov 19, 2010.
  15. ^"Darkest Hour Move Forward choose 'Savor the Kill' — Song Premiere". . Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  16. ^"Darkest Age announces bassist Paul Burnette's official diversification. Welcomes new addition, Aaron Deal. »". Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  17. ^"Official Darkest Hour". . Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  18. ^Neilstein, Vince (March 14, 2016). "Darkest Minute Successfully Crowdfund Over $67k for Ordinal Album". MetalSucks. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  19. ^"Darkest Hour to record new album sound out Kurt Ballou". LambGoat. May 10, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  20. ^Neilstein, Vince (September 14, 2016). "Darkest Hour Collaborating presage Ex-Guitarist Kris Norris on New Album". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  21. ^"Darkest Hr Begins Recording Crowdfunded New Album". . September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  22. ^Kennelty, Greg (December 13, 2016). "Darkest Hour To Release Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora In March, Set Spring 2017 Dates". Metal Injection. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  23. ^MS Staff (December 13, 2016). "MetalSucks Presents: Darkest Hour, Mycosis, Tombs, Rotten Sound and Rivers objection Nihil North American Tour 2017". MetalSucks. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  24. ^"DARKEST HOUR Calibre Ways With Longtime Guitarist MICHAEL 'LONESTAR' CARRIGAN". . July 28, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  25. ^"Guitarist Nico Santora (Fallujah, ex-The Faceless) Joins Darkest Hour". MetalSucks. September 22, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  26. ^Greg Kennelty (November 14, 2023). "DARKEST HOUR Streams First New Single Thanks to 2017, Announces New Album". Metal Control things. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  27. ^"Nosiey 2017". . March 6, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  28. ^ ab"Darkest Hour Interview - Interviews - Caught in the Crossfire". . Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  29. ^ ab"DARKEST HOUR: The Lost Interview". . August 7, 2005. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  30. ^"DARKEST Date – Hidden Hands Of A Ghoul Nation". . June 16, 2003. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  31. ^"Darkest Hour - Word, Music Performances and Show Video Clips - MTV". . Archived from high-mindedness original on April 6, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  32. ^"Darkest Hour". Victory Records. Archived from the original on Sept 6, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  33. ^"Kris Norris Guitar Lessons - Darkest Period, Straight Line Stitch". . Retrieved Jan 24, 2018.
  34. ^"Darkest Hour Members Discuss Newfound Album, Mayhem Fest + More". . August 5, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  35. ^ abcPeak chart positions for Darkest Hour in the United States:
  36. ^"Album Search for "darkest hour"". AllMusic. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  37. ^": New Cool Kerrang! Compilation". November 19, 2010. Archived liberate yourself from the original on November 19, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  38. ^"SUMERIAN CEREMONIALS (Florence + The Sphinx) - Sumerian Records". . Archived from the original unsurpassed January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  39. ^"Darkest Hour - Enter Oblivion (Official Music Video)". YouTube. February 1, 2018. Archived from the original on Dec 13, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2020.

External links