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)
Purgatory
Darkest Hour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you ever know
You're in the process of phasing out
War for peace every
Treaty written in blood
Struck down with disease
Get away
They're over
You're washed up
Against your own kind
The animal
Cannibalistic inseparable
War for peace
Every treaty written in blood
Struck down with disease
Innovations of warring clans
Sacrificial the contracts of man
Devoid of purpose or precedence
A selfish existence
Violent by nature
Get away
Give up the prospects of better days
They're over you're washed up
I'm a masochistic machine
I shit where I fuck where I eat
So don't ever listen to anything I say
'Cause I just don't believe
Anything anymore
And I've lied to myself
And I've stolen so much more
But all I need is something that's new
All that I've made I can't undo
All I need is someone like you
You're never lost
I'm not confused
Fates lie to me
Lie to the faces
Of all that believe in faith
The price of virtue
Paid in full
Is it all that you've worked for
The lyrics to Darkest Hour's song "Purgatory" explore the theme of violence and the consequences of humanity's inclination towards war. The opening lines, "Oh, you're in the crosshairs, did you ever know / You're in the process of phasing out," suggest a sense of impending doom and the inevitability of violent conflict. The song goes on to criticize the idea that war can bring about peace, with lines like "War for peace every / Treaty written in blood / Struck down with disease."
The lyrics also touch on the idea of human nature and the animalistic tendencies that drive us towards violence. The lines "Against your own kind / The animal / Cannibalistic inseparable" suggest that even when we turn on each other, we are still bound by our instincts towards aggression. The imagery of "innovations of warring clans" and "sacrificial contracts of man" further emphasize the destructive nature of violence.
The chorus, with the repeated line "Get away / Give up the prospects of better days / They're over you're washed up," is a bleak acknowledgement that the consequences of violence are often irreversible and inescapable. The song ends with a sense of disillusionment, with the lines "Fates lie to me / Lie to the faces / Of all that believe in faith / The price of virtue / Paid in full / Is it all that you've worked for."
Overall, "Purgatory" is a powerful critique of violence and a call to break the cycle of war and conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you're in the cross hairs
You're in a dangerous position and someone or something is targeting you
Did you ever know
Were you ever aware
You're in the process of phasing out
You're being removed or replaced gradually
War for peace every
Fighting done for the sake of peace
Treaty written in blood
A peace agreement established through violence and death
Struck down with disease
Overcome by sickness or illness
Get away
Escape from this situation
Give up the prospects of better days
Abandon hope for a better future
They're over
Better days have come to an end
You're washed up
You're finished, your time is up
Against your own kind
In conflict with people who are like you
The animal
The wild, untamed side of humanity
Cannibalistic inseparable
Humans who are bound together but also attack and consume each other
Innovations of warring clans
New and advanced strategies used by groups in conflict with each other
Sacrificial the contracts of man
Agreements made between people that often involve sacrifice or loss
Devoid of purpose or precedence
Lacking a clear goal or model to follow
A selfish existence
A self-absorbed way of living
Violent by nature
Inherently aggressive and hostile
I'm a masochistic machine
I willingly subject myself to pain and suffering
I shit where I fuck where I eat
I persist in self-destructive behavior and ruin my own opportunities
So don't ever listen to anything I say
I'm unreliable and my words should not be trusted
'Cause I just don't believe
I lack faith and conviction
Anything anymore
I've lost faith in everything
And I've lied to myself
I've deceived my own mind
And I've stolen so much more
I've taken advantage of others and caused more harm
But all I need is something that's new
All I want is a fresh start
All that I've made I can't undo
I can't change or fix what I've done in the past
All I need is someone like you
You can help me turn things around
You're never lost
I can always count on you to find your way
I'm not confused
I know what I want, I'm just not sure how to get it
Fates lie to me
The universe deceives me
Lie to the faces
Deceive people openly
Of all that believe in faith
Of anyone who holds onto the idea of trust and belief
The price of virtue
The cost of being good and just
Paid in full
Completely and entirely given
Is it all that you've worked for
Is this all that you've achieved after putting in so much effort
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind