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)
Low
Darkest Hour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
noise just white noise staying awake for the music's sake they say they
listen but never hear a thing mass deception illusion deception we say
they listen to white noise can this really be our time are we found to
find the line dissillusion me again can we really be the only ones who see
this charade the meaning is fleeting all these egos competing searching
for an identity through the series of misleading disillusion me again
The lyrics to Darkest Hour's song, "Low", touch on themes of disillusionment and mass deception. The first line, "injected venom sucking the life from us away", suggests a metaphorical poisoning or corruption that drains people of their vitality. The next line goes on to reference eighty days of "white noise", implying a sense of monotony and futility in life. The singer seeks to stay awake for the sake of music, perhaps as a way to escape the suffocating monotony of their surroundings.
The lyrics go on to assert that others claim to listen but fail to truly hear anything, suggesting a wider sense of societal deafness or indifference to the singer's struggle. The repetition of the phrase "mass deception, illusion deception" reinforces the notion that something secretive and sinister may be at play. The singer wonders if they are the only ones who see through this deception, and questions whether their time has come to fight back against the forces that seek to oppress or control them.
Overall, the lyrics to "Low" offer a bleak commentary on the state of society and our place within it. It speaks to a sense of frustration and helplessness in the face of larger systems at play, and highlights the need to stay vigilant and aware in order to avoid being lulled into complacency.
Line by Line Meaning
injected venom sucking the life from us away
We feel like something harmful has been introduced into our lives, draining us of vitality
for eighty days it's white noise just white noise
We've been enduring this feeling of emptiness for an extended period of time, with no respite or distraction
staying awake for the music's sake
We're trying to stay alert and hopeful, and music is one of the few things that can keep us going
they say they listen but never hear a thing
People claim to be attentive to our struggles, but in reality, they don't truly understand or acknowledge them
mass deception illusion deception
There's a pervasive sense of dishonesty and trickery in the world, and we're feeling very disillusioned by it
we say they listen to white noise
We perceive other people as being distracted or disinterested, as if they're only hearing meaningless background noise
can this really be our time
We're questioning whether this period in history is meant to be ours, or if we're living in a state of constant frustration and disappointment
are we found to find the line
We're searching for guidance or direction, hoping to find some clarity or meaning amidst the chaos
dissillusion me again
We've been let down or betrayed before, and we fear that we'll be disappointed once more
can we really be the only ones who see this charade
We're wondering if we're the only ones who recognize the deceitfulness and falsehoods around us
the meaning is fleeting all these egos competing
We're struggling to find a clear sense of purpose or significance, and it feels like everyone else is more interested in their own priorities
searching for an identity through the series of misleading
We're trying to figure out who we are and what we stand for, but it's difficult when we feel like we've been fed lies and false narratives
disillusion me again
We're expressing our frustration and disappointment, feeling like we've been let down one too many times
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Shiflett, David Grohl, Nate Mendel, Oliver Taylor Hawkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind