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)
Sanctuary
Darkest Hour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the pounding in my head
it doesn't seem to phase me
how every scream the pretend not to hear echoes through me
standing, complacently waiting
I try to tell myself
our lives are worth more than this
so give me a chance to take it all back,
it's a spit in the face
so don't even try to explain
the earth shakes beneath my feet
and as these buildings
they crumble around me
I call out if you can hear me
come and let me out,
oh please break me out!
and give me sanctuary
you know this whole world knows
you won't be satisfied 'til you fill up another cemetery
it's all a game to you
we won't be fooled by you into thinking that it's easy,
nobody said this would be easy to swallow or process or fake
and dark will be the day when I elude their desires
no longer will I be..
The lyrics to Darkest Hour's song, Sanctuary, depicts a sense of hopelessness and frustration towards the current state of society. The song opens with a vivid imagery of the singer waking up to the sound of thunder, which may symbolize the chaos and destruction around them. They acknowledge the pounding in their head but remain unfazed, perhaps indicating a numbness or desensitization to the constant noise and chaos present in their environment. The singer hears the screams of others, which are ignored by those in power, and it echoes through them.
The second verse shows the singer standing complacently, waiting for change and trying to convince themselves that their life has more worth than just being a number in the system. They are asking for a chance to take back their life and to prove that they are worth more than pity or small offerings. The frustration is clear in their tone as they recognize the inadequacy of the system and those who control it, asking for somebody to break them out and give them sanctuary.
The chorus focuses on the power play between those in charge and the rest of society. The singer accuses those in power of not being satisfied until they fill another cemetery, indicating a disregard for human life. They recognize the manipulation at play, refusing to be fooled into thinking that change is easy. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer vowing to no longer be swayed by the desires of those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
on dawn of the day I arose to the thunder again
I woke up to chaos and destruction once more
the pounding in my head
The sound of destruction is too loud for me to bear
it doesn't seem to phase me
I've grown numb to the destruction around me
how every scream the pretend not to hear echoes through me
The screams of those in pain are ignored, but they deeply affect me
standing, complacently waiting
I'm waiting for someone to help, but not taking action myself
I try to tell myself our lives are worth more than this
I remind myself that human life is valuable and worth more than destruction
so give me a chance to take it all back, I'll show you that I'm worth more than your pittance or pity
If given the chance, I can prove that I'm valuable and not just in need of sympathy
it's a spit in the face so don't even try to explain
Actions speak louder than words, explanations won't fix the damage already done
the earth shakes beneath my feet and as these buildings they crumble around me
The destruction is so intense that even the ground beneath my feet is shaking
I call out if you can hear me come and let me out, oh please break me out! and give me sanctuary
I'm pleading for someone to rescue me and provide a safe place for me
you know this whole world knows you won't be satisfied 'til you fill up another cemetery
Those causing destruction won't stop until more people are dead
it's all a game to you we won't be fooled by you into thinking that it's easy, nobody said this would be easy to swallow or process or fake
The destructive forces are treating this like a game, but those being affected by it know that it's not easy to deal with
and dark will be the day when I elude their desires no longer will I be..
The day the destructive forces no longer want to harm me will be a dark day, as it seems unlikely
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JOHN HENRY, Kristopher Norris, Michael Schleibaum, Paul Burnette, Ryan Parrish
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind