- Darkest Hour (band)
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Darkest Hour 
Darkest Hour in Barcelona in 2009. From left to right: Mike Schleibaum, Mike Carrigan and Paul Burnette.Background information Origin Washington, D.C. Genres Melodic death metal,[1] metalcore[2] Years active 1995–present Labels E1, Victory Website www.darkesthour.cc Members John Henry
Mike Schleibaum
Paul Burnette
Ryan Parrish
Mike CarriganPast members Matt Maben
Raul Mayorga
Billups Allen
Fred Ziomek
Mike Garrity
Tommy Gun
Kris NorrisDarkest Hour is an American heavy metal 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,[3] and their most recent effort The Eternal Return garnered them an even higher position in the Billboard album charts at number 104.[4]
Contents
History
Formation (1994–1999)
Darkest Hour was formed on September 23, 1995,[5] 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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8]
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!"[9][10]
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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] 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."[14]
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.[15]
On January 13, 2011, A new song entitled "Savor the Kill" was released on Noisecreep[16]
Band members
- Current members
- John Henry – vocals (1995–present)
- Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan – guitar (2008–present)
- Mike Schleibaum – guitar (1995–present)
- Ryan Parrish – drums (1999–present)
- Paul Burnette – bass guitar (2001–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)
Discography
- Studio albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions US
[17]US
Heat.
[18]US
Ind.
[19]2000 The Mark of the Judas - Released: July 18, 2000
- Label: MIA
— — — 2001 So Sedated, So Secure - Released: April, 2001
- Label: Victory
— — — 2003 Hidden Hands 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: E1
185 3 23 "—" denotes a release that did not chart. - Compilations
- Archives (2006), A-F Records
- EPs
- The Misanthrope (1996), Death Truck Records
- The Prophecy Fulfilled (1999), Art Monk Construction
- Splits
- 7" split with Groundzero (1999), East Coast Empire
- Where Heroes Go to Die (5" split with Dawncore) (2001), Join the Team Player
- 7" split with Set My Path (2004), April 78
- DVDs
- Party Scars and Prison Bars: A Thrashography (DVD, 2005)
Non-album tracks
Year Song Appears on 2007 "Nazi Punks Fuck Off" (Dead Kennedys cover) Kerrang! Higher Voltage[20] References
- ^ Weingarten, Christopher R.. Stormchaser review. http://books.google.com/books?id=w_kDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT44&dq=%22light+this+city%22+%22melodic+death+metal%22. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
- ^ http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/d/darkesthour-undoing.shtml
- ^ Blabbermouth.net, "Smashing Pumpkins, Darkest Hour, Danzig, Beatallica First-Week Sales Revealed", Posted July 18, 2007.
- ^ "Darkest Hour - Charts & Awards - Billboard Albums" allmusic. Retrieved on December 12, 2008.
- ^ Kingtuts.co.uk "Darkest Hour biography", Posted December 10, 2006.
- ^ Party Scars & Prison Bars: A Thrashography
- ^ Blabbermouth.net, "SOUNDSCAN REPORT: CKY, MEGADETH, DEVILDRIVER, DARKEST HOUR, THROWDOWN", Posted July 6, 2005.
- ^ Blabbermouth.net, "DARKEST HOUR: New Album Title, Release Date Announced", Posted March 7, 2007.
- ^ expressnightout.com,"Playoff Anthem: Darkest Hour's 'Let's Go Caps!"
- ^ Washington Capitals "Fight Song" Myspace, ["http://www.myspace.com/letsgocapsmusic"]
- ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104602 Blabbermouth
- ^ http://www.antimusic.com/news/09/april/15Darkest_Hour_Set_The_Eternal_Return_in_June.shtml
- ^ Sciarretto, Amy (April 12, 2010). "Exclusive: Darkest Hour Sign With E1". Noisecreep. AOL Music. http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/04/12/exclusive-darkest-hour-sign-with-e1/. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ^ a b "Darkest Hour's New Album To Be Produced by Soilwork Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. August 2, 2010. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=143892. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
- ^ "DARKEST HOUR Discuss Their Next Release". November 18, 2010. http://www.metalinjection.net/tv/view/6027/darkest-hour-discuss-their-next-release. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
- ^ . http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/01/13/darkest-hour-savor-the-kill-song-premiere/. Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ^ "Darkest Hour Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/darkest-hour/chart-history/334329?f=305&g=Albums. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ "Darkest Hour Album & Song Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/darkest-hour/chart-history/334329?f=324&g=Albums. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ "Darkest Hour Album & Song Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/darkest-hour/chart-history/334329?f=326&g=Albums. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- ^ New Cool Kerrang! Compilation
External links
Albums The Mark of the Judas • So Sedated, So Secure • Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation • Undoing Ruin • Deliver Us • The Eternal Return • The Human RomanceEP's The Misanthrope • The Prophecy FulfilledCompilations Labels Categories:- Heavy metal musical groups from Washington, D.C.
- Heavy metal musical groups from Virginia
- American melodic death metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1995
- American metalcore musical groups
- Musical quintets
- E1 Music artists
- Victory Records artists
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