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)
Departure
Darkest Hour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me no-one to take on the world that I've known
This body has gone to the ends of the earth
But will never know any place to call home
(Let the centuries see, let the centuries light!)
What matter can shatter the surface now?
What makes you think there's a ? how?
Well, I live like the future is dead and lost
(Let the centuries see, let the centuries light!)
Next time, like you never were meant to know
Sometime it's a knife that will cut you up
I take this wherever I go
And what lies ahead nobody will know
Finally silent the echo and take with
Me no-one to take on the world that I've known
This body has gone to the ends of the earth
But will never know any place to call home
A long way from any other
I will come to passing time
The story closes on another
Day of fire fate of mine
The dark the echo let the vulture
Fly from the flesh until the ever-after
Finally silent the echo and take with
Me no-one to take on the world that I've known
This body has gone to the ends of the earth
But will never know any place to call home
The song "Departure" by Darkest Hour is a reflective and melancholy look at life and death. The lyrics speak of someone who is at the end of their journey, having traveled far from home and knowing they will never find a place to truly belong. The singer contemplates the meaning of life and the ultimate futility of our existence, pondering what truly matters and questioning whether anything can truly shatter the surface of our existence. They also express a sense of detachment from the world, remarking on how they live as though the future is dead and lost, suggesting that they have no hope or expectation for what lies ahead.
The repeating refrain of "finally silent the echo and take with me no-one to take on the world that I've known" emphasizes the sense of isolation and finality that the singer is feeling. The phrase "let the centuries see, let the centuries light" suggests a desire for their life and experiences to be remembered even after their death, but also implies a sense of insignificance in the grand scheme of things. The final lines of the song speak to the idea of accepting death and letting go of physical existence, with the image of vultures circling a decaying body adding to the sense of finality and closure.
Overall, "Departure" is a contemplative and thought-provoking song that tackles complex themes of life, death, and the meaning of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Finally silent the echo and take with
The singer has grown tired of the constant noise and commotion around them, and they want to find peace and quiet.
Me no-one to take on the world that I've known
The singer doesn't have anyone to rely on or to share their experiences with.
This body has gone to the ends of the earth
The singer has travelled far and wide and experienced many things.
But will never know any place to call home
Despite their travels, the artist hasn't found a place where they feel like they truly belong.
(Let the centuries see, let the centuries light!)
The artist wants their actions to be remembered and have a lasting impact in history.
What matter can shatter the surface now?
The singer has faced so many challenges in their life that nothing seems to faze them anymore.
What makes you think there's a ? how?
The singer questions why people bother worrying about the unknown future when it's impossible to predict.
Do you live like your past is a god?
The artist wonders if people let their past experiences control their present lives.
Well, I live like the future is dead and lost
The artist believes that there's no point in living for the future since it's unknown and unpredictable.
Next time, like you never were meant to know
The artist advises taking risks and trying new things as if you had nothing to lose.
Sometime it's a knife that will cut you up
Sometimes taking risks can lead to painful consequences.
I take this wherever I go
The artist always carries the lessons they've learned with them wherever they go.
And what lies ahead nobody will know
The singer accepts that the future is unknown and there's no way to predict what's to come.
A long way from any other
The singer is isolated and alone.
I will come to passing time
The singer accepts that time will continue to move forward, regardless of what they do.
The story closes on another
The artist's story has come to an end, and a new one will begin.
Day of fire fate of mine
The artist's fate will be determined by the choices they make.
The dark the echo let the vulture
The singer is surrounded by darkness and death.
Fly from the flesh until the ever-after
The singer is accepting their impending death and believes in an afterlife.
Lyrics © KILLPHONIC
Written by: Aaron Deal, John Henry, Mike "Lonestar" Carrigan, Mike Schleibaum, Travis Orbin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Minerva Gunsmithing LLC
Finally silent the echo and take with me
No one to take on the world that I've known
This body has gone to the ends of the earth
But may never know any place to call home
Like the future is dead like the future is lost
What matter can shatter the surface now
What makes you think there's a purpose how
Do you live like your past is a god
Well I live like the future is dead and lost
It's a sign that you never were meant to know
Some time it's a knife it'll cut you up
I take this wherever I go
And what lies ahead nobody can know
And I won't wait for any other
All will come to pass in time
The story closes on another
Day of fire fate of mine
The dove the eagle and that vulture
Fly from the flesh into the ever after
Kelter Smelter
FINALLY SILENTLY I GO АND TAKE WITH MЕ
NО ONE TO TAKE ОN THE WORLD THAT I’WE KNOWN
THIS BODY HAS GONE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
BUT MAY NEVER KNOW АNY PLACE ТO CALL НОMЕ
LIKE THE FUTURE IS DEAD LIKE THE FUTURE IS LOST
WHAT MATTER САN SHATTER THE SURFACE NOW
WHAT MAKES YOU ТНINК THERE’S A PURPOSE HOW
DO YOU LIVE LIKE YOUR PAST IS A GOD
WELL I LIVE LIKE THE FUTURE IS DEAD AND LOST
IT’S A SIGN THAT YOU NEVER WERE MЕАNT TO KNOW
SОMЕ ТIMЕ IT’S A KNIFE IT’LL CUT YOU UP
I TAKE THIS WHEREVER I GO
АND WHAT LIES AHEAD NOBODY САN KNOW
AND I WON’T WAIT FOR ANY OTHER
ALL WILL COME TO PASS IN TIME
THE STORY CLOSES ON ANOTHER
DAY OF FIRE FATE OF MINE
THE DOVE THE EAGLE АND THAT VULTURE
FLY FROM THE FLESH INTO THE EVER AFTER
Roberto Miranda
John's always had an interesting clean vocal sound; here, he sounds amazing. Such a good voice.
Tyler Kiesgen
I wish that riff at :58 was repeated more throughout the song, that's easily the best part of the song.
Justin G.
🤣🤣🤣 Simeone needs to make a loop out of that jewel!
Jacob Cuozzo
TkMan326 100% agree with that
hithism
Darkest hour just never disappoints me. Just such good fucking band
Beanie Sandals
I miss the ambient harmonizing feedback from the guitars that Delives Us and Undoing Ruin were known for!
Matt Cude
+Kaleb Korpse all kris norris, amazing album regardless
Tiaan Hugo van der Merwe
This song is very good.
I like their new sound.
I like their old sound.
Nevertheless, this is a good song.
Felipe36Skull
Very good album!
Curtis
If this is the end of the Darkest Hour legacy, I will be saddened. This is one hell of a masterpiece to end it though.