Darkest Hour
is an American Metalcore band from Washington, D.C., formed in 1995. Though
failing to break early in their career, the band has received acclaim for their
albums Undoing Ruin, Deliver Us,
and The Eternal Return. Deliver Us
debuted at number 110 on the Billboard
album charts, with sales of 6,600, and their most recent effort The Eternal
Return garnered them an even higher position in the Billboard album charts
at number 104.
History
Formation (1994–1999)
Darkest
Hour was formed on September 23, 1995, and initially consisted of vocalist John
Henry, guitarist Mike Schleibaum, bassist Raul Mayorga and drummer Matt Maben.
The
band released its first EP titled The Misanthrope in 1996 on a local label
called Death Truck Records. In 1996, Darkest Hour cut a single titled
"Paths of Despair" for East Coast Empire Records' The Harder They
Come compilation. The song proceeds at a slower, grueling tempo in
comparison to the up-beat tempo the band would come to be known for. In 1999,
Darkest Hour released another EP titled The Prophecy Fulfilled on another label
called Art Monk Construction.
The Mark of the Judas and So Sedated, So Secure (2000–2002)
The
addition of second guitarist Fred Ziomek, bassist Billups Allen and drummer
Ryan Parrish saw the band release their first full-length LP The Mark of the Judas in 2000, on the
now-defunct M.I.A. Records.
The Mark of the Judas was not widely promoted or distributed due to M.I.A. Records going
out of business not long after the album's release.
Despite
the fact Darkest Hour were left without a label, the band garnered enough
exposure to catch the attention of Victory Records.
Their Victory debut So Sedated, So Secure was released on
August 7, 2001. After the release of the album, Billups was replaced by Paul
Burnette and Ziomek left the band. The album was re-issued by Victory on March
7, 2006, and featured new artwork, re-mixed audio, re-recorded vocals and
additional tracks.
The
band continued to tour, with Schleibaum's longtime friend Mike Garrity filling
in on lead guitar duties. Eventually, they accepted Parrish's old friend Kris
Norris as the new lead guitarist, and then began to write their next record.
While
Garrity was the guitarist, the band was arrested and jailed in Roland, Oklahoma
for alleged marijuana charges, also for "illegally imported" beer and
for an open beer can. They were fined $6000; Schleibaum was able to pay for
himself, Burnette, and Garrity. Ryan and John had to stay for a couple of hours
while the rest of the band had to get money to bail them out.
Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation and Undoing Ruin (2003–2006)
Their
third release Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation was
released on May 20, 2003. Produced by well-renowned Swedish record producer Fredrik Nordström, the album signaled a shift
from the band's previous metalcore style to a more melodic death metal style. As a result, the
album gained strong mainstream attention, allowing the band to perform at Ozzfest
2004. Notably, the album contained political lyrics, with several songs
criticizing American militarism post-September 11. The album was re-issued by
Victory on July 13, 2004, with a bonus song and an additional DVD containing
bonus material.
Darkest
Hour released their fourth full-length LP Undoing Ruin
on June 28, 2005. The album was produced by Devin Townsend
(Strapping Young Lad) at Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver.
The album was the band's first to enter the Billboard 200
charts, debuting at #138 with first week sales of 8,484.
In
the 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, Darkest
Hour and a number of other bands including Shadows Fall,
Lamb of God, Chimaira,
Killswitch Engage, Unearth,
and God Forbid
are all listed under the category "New Wave of American Metal" in the
"metal genealogy chart".
Deliver Us (2007–2008)
In
early 2007, the band was in Vancouver to work on their next record with
Townsend. On March 7, 2007, Victory Records issued a press statement
confirming the title of the album was Deliver Us;
it was released on July 10.
In
April 2008, Darkest Hour created a Washington Capitals fight song and a MySpace
tribute page in support of the Capitals 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs run. The song
"1,000 Words to Say but One" was re-recorded with new lyrics and new
solos into "Let's Go Caps!"
In
September 2008, it was reported on Blabbermouth.net
that Kris Norris had left the band and would be pursuing producing routes and
possibly a new band. Not long after Kris Norris' departure, they found
replacement Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan. With Lonestar officially on
board the band is heading back into the studio to write & record with
Producer Brian McTernan of Baltimore's Salad Days Studio.
The
band's song "Demon(s)" is featured on the music game Guitar Hero 5.
The Eternal Return (2009−2010)
In
March 2009, Darkest Hour began to record the new album, The Eternal Return, just before
co-headlining (along with Bleeding Through)
the Thrash and Burn European Tour 2009 in
April and May. The Eternal Return was released on June 23,
2009, two weeks later than originally announced. Darkest Hour then went on to
play the 2009 Summer Slaughter Tour. They supported Trivium
for the first leg of the North American Into the Mouth of Hell We Tour.
In
February 2010, Darkest Hour announced a new tour with Dillinger Escape Plan, Iwrestledabearonce, and Animals as Leaders.
Signing to E1 and The Human Romance (2010–present)
In
April 2010, Darkest Hour announced their signing to E1 Music
after having been with Victory Records for a decade. The new album will be
produced by Soilwork
guitarist Peter Wichers, who helped pioneer Swedish melodic death metal and was a major influence
on Darkest Hour. In an August press release, the band described the new
material as "the most emotional and melodic Darkest Hour album to
date" and also said it "shares in that aggression [with The
Eternal Return] and pushes Darkest Hour beyond the unknown."
In
a new Metal Injection interview, Darkest Hour members Mike Schleibaum and Ryan
Parrish revealed that the new record will be titled The Human Romance,
and it will be released on February 22, 2011.
On
January 13, 2011, A new song entitled "Savor the Kill" was released
onto Noisecreep.
On
December 22nd, 2011, Darkest Hour announced that they have parted ways with
longtime drummer Ryan Parrish.
On
June 6th, 2012, Darkest Hour announced that bassist Paul Burnette would be
amicably leaving the band to join Iron Reagan. Aaron Deal, who had toured with
Darkest Hour in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America was also announced
as the new bassist.
Band members
Current members
- John Henry – vocals (1995–present)
- Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan – guitar (2008–present)
- Mike Schleibaum – guitar (1995–present)
- Aaron Deal – bass guitar (2012–present)
- Timothy Java - drums (2012-Present)
Former members
- Matt Maben – drums (1995–1999, featured on The Misanthrope and The Prophecy Fulfilled)
- Raul Mayorga – bass guitar (1995–1999, featured on The Misanthrope and The Prophecy Fulfilled)
- Billups Allen – bass guitar (1999–2001, featured on the untitled split 7", The Mark of the Judas and So Sedated, So Secure)
- Fred Ziomek – guitar (1999–2001, featured on the untitled split 7", The Mark of the Judas, So Sedated, So Secure and Where Heroes Go to Die)
- Mike Garrity – guitar (2001, did not appear on any recordings, as he was a temporary replacement between Fred Ziomek and Kris Norris)
- Tommy Gun – guitar (2001, filled in for the band between Fred Ziomek and Mike Garrity. He was later asked to join the band Immortal Avenger)
- Kris Norris – guitar (2001–2008)
- Ryan Parrish – drums (1999–2011)
- Paul Burnette – bass guitar (2001-2012)
Official website
www.officialdarkesthour.com
