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 gained strong mainstream attention, to the point where they were asked to participate 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.[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. 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."
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 on Noisecreep
As of the year 2011, it has been discovered that Darkest Hour seems to find a strange satisfaction and enjoyment from canceling their Arizona tour dates.
While on tour with Machine Head in 2011 Ryan Parrish left the band and has been replaced by Tim Java (he isn't yet part of the official line - up yet).
Band members
Current members
* John Henry – vocals (1995–present)
* Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan – guitar (2008–present)
* Mike Schleibaum – guitar (1995–present)
* Aaron Deal - Bass (2012 - present)
Former members
* Ryan Parrish – drums (1999–2011)
* Paul Burnette – bass guitar (2001–2012)
* 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)
Demon
Darkest Hour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asking for more than the numbing existence
Offered us all
What did they say? What did they do?
To make you crawl back in
Despite everything that you've been through
You're still right where I left you
We can lift up our hands to the sky
Into our old rhythmic poses
Turning us into machines
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way we won't all look the same way down
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way and we'll all take the same way out
And all these illusions dropped on a sea of believers
Crowding around as they hunt me down
And throw me out
While all the rest of the others
Bang their heads in the dredges
[x2]
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way we won't all look the same way down
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way and we'll all take the same way out
So don't give up on me
We can be still pretend
This is all just a game
That'll work itself out in the end
The lyrics of Darkest Hour's song "Demon" express a sense of frustration and alienation with the world as it is. The opening lines "Oh, you and me, we're the same, Asking for more than the numbing existence offered us all" suggest a shared sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo. The next two lines, "What did they say? What did they do? To make you crawl back in, Despite everything that you've been through" suggest that despite their shared sense of frustration, the singer is puzzled by their listener's apparent resignation to the way things are. The line "You're still right where I left you" follows this, suggesting that the listener's views haven't changed since the last time the two spoke.
The next lines, "We can lift up our hands to the sky, Find all of those strings that they're pulling and keep from falling back, Into our old rhythmic poses, Turning us into machines" suggest a desire to break free of the constraints that society places on individuals, to resist patterns and routines that stifle creativity and originality. The repetition of "And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves, in any way we won't all look the same way down" emphasizes this theme of individuality over conformity. The lines "And all these illusions dropped on a sea of believers, Crowding around as they hunt me down, And throw me out, While all the rest of the others, Bang their heads in the dredges" suggest a sense of persecution, of feeling like an outsider in a society of conformists.
The final lines of the song "So don't give up on me, We can still pretend, This is all just a game, That'll work itself out in the end" suggest a bittersweet tone of resignation, that despite the desire to break free, the reality of the situation is that change is slow to come, and it's easier to give in and pretend that the world is all just a game. The song speaks to a common experience of feeling trapped in a world that doesn't quite fit, and the desire to break free of oppressive social norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, you and me, we're the same
We share a common experience
Asking for more than the numbing existence
We desire something beyond the mundane
Offered us all
That which is commonly available
What did they say? What did they do?
What caused you to give up?
To make you crawl back in
To return to a state of conformity
Despite everything that you've been through
Despite your struggles and hardships
You're still right where I left you
You have not progressed beyond your previous state
We can lift up our hands to the sky
We can seek something greater
Find all of those strings that they're pulling and keep from falling back
Escape the control of those who seek to manipulate and limit us
Into our old rhythmic poses
Return to the familiar patterns of life
Turning us into machines
Reduce us to soulless automatons
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
We will overcome our self-doubt and insecurities
In any way we won't all look the same way down
We will not conform to societal norms and expectations
And we'll all take the same way out
We will choose our own path to fulfillment and freedom
And all these illusions dropped on a sea of believers
Falsehoods perpetuated on a large scale
Crowding around as they hunt me down
The pressure to conform and the fear of rejection
And throw me out
Exclusion from the perceived safety of the norm
While all the rest of the others
Others who have not yet rebelled
Bang their heads in the dredges
Continue mindlessly through life
So don't give up on me
Continue to believe in the power of individuality and freedom
We can be still pretend
We can feign complacency
This is all just a game
The struggle for freedom is a battle that can be won
That'll work itself out in the end
The future is uncertain, but we remain hopeful
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JOHN HENRY, Kristopher Norris, Michael Schleibaum, Paul Burnette, Ryan Parrish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vince943
Oh, you and me, we're the same
Asking for more than the numbing existence
Offered us all
What did they say? What did they do?
To make you crawl back in
Despite everything that you've been through
You're still right where I left you
We can lift up our hands to the sky
Find all of those strings that they're pulling and keep from falling back
Into our old rhythmic poses
Turning us into machines
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way we won't all look the same way down
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way and we'll all take the same way out
And all these illusions dropped on a sea of believers
Crowding around as they hunt me down
And throw me out
While all the rest of the others
Bang their heads in the dredges
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way we won't all look the same way down
And one of these days we'll no longer betray ourselves
In any way and we'll all take the same way out
So don't give up on me
We can be still pretend
This is all just a game
That'll work itself out in the end
@gnolan6153
Here in late 2023 and these dudes don't get the credit they deserve. One of the earliest pioneers of metalcore, I hope one day in the future people recognize
@LeviBoldock
And they're still dropping bangers.
@ronaldraygunpew
Here with you friend!
@zombiematt2006
I love Darkest hour they never get the recognition they deserve.
@stevenphillipevans
I 100% agree, they are soo fukn good but soo fukn underrated
@yakxattack
Just look at the view count though... They should be Hellfest regulars
@NotAGarage
9 years later in 2022 Your comment holds more depth and meaning than ever
@ILLRICARDO
god forbid and shadows fall too, criminally underrated.
@rjskum688
@@ILLRICARDO shadows fall was huge back then tho. Darkest Hour never got the recognition they deserve. This song alone is a masterpiece.
@EnterShikari777
"So don't give up on me. We can still pretend this is all just a game that'll work itself out in the end" still gets me