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)
The Legacy
Darkest Hour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cold before it hits the ground,
I've been where those fears lie,
I've heard the screams from the inside,
I know never look back,
When memories fade to flashes,
That trust was just a trap,
Look for my picture in the ashes
Deceit riding under a white flag,
A casualty of sincerity
Dust on the gallows,
And not a tear in sight,
Just like the old days,
Perfection rotting from the inside out
A pale face that cracks with age,
A blank stare screaming with rage
Sunken cheeks a lonely heart,
Sadistic seduction you know the part
The lyrics to Darkest Hour's song The Legacy speak of a legacy that fades over time, becoming cold and ultimately rotting away. The singer has been to a place where fears lie and has heard the screams from the inside. They know to never look back when memories fade to flashes and that trust was just a trap. Instead, they suggest looking for their picture in the ashes, suggesting that their legacy may be found in destruction rather than traditional success.
The second verse speaks of deceit riding under a white flag and being a casualty of sincerity. This suggests that even when someone appears to be genuine and honest, there may still be hidden intentions and a potential for betrayal. The final lines of the song speak of a pale face that cracks with age and a blank stare screaming with rage. This suggests that in the end, all the facade of perfection and legacy will rot from the inside out, leaving only a lonely and sadistic heart.
Overall, the lyrics to The Legacy suggest a cynicism towards the idea of a lasting legacy and a warning to not trust in external measures of success or achievement. Instead, the focus should be on the internal, often hidden aspects of a person's life and character.
Line by Line Meaning
A legacy that rots with time,
The impact we make on the world deteriorates over time and becomes meaningless.
Cold before it hits the ground,
The legacy is unremarkable and insignificant as it fails to leave an impact.
I've been where those fears lie,
The singer has experienced the terror and anxiety that come with leaving a legacy behind.
I've heard the screams from the inside,
The singer has witnessed the internal agony that comes with the desire to be remembered through a legacy.
I know never look back,
The singer understands that dwelling on the past keeps one from moving forward and creating a better legacy.
When memories fade to flashes,
Over time, memories become blurry and insignificant, leaving only flashes of what once was.
That trust was just a trap,
Having faith in one's legacy is a trap, as it is subject to decay and ultimately insignificance.
Look for my picture in the ashes
The singer wishes to be remembered through the remnants of what was once their legacy.
Deceit riding under a white flag,
Hiding behind a facade of purity and innocence is a deception.
A casualty of sincerity
Being genuine and truthful can lead to harm and a poor legacy.
Dust on the gallows,
The remnants of a legacy that failed to make an impact lie in the dust like an execution scaffold.
And not a tear in sight,
There is no mourning or sadness to be found, as the legacy was insignificant.
Just like the old days,
The decay of a legacy is a common occurrence, as it has been happening for ages.
Perfection rotting from the inside out
Even the most perfect of legacies are subject to decay from within.
A pale face that cracks with age,
The fading of a legacy is like the deterioration of an aging face.
A blank stare screaming with rage
The insignificance and decay of a legacy incites anger and frustration.
Sunken cheeks a lonely heart,
The emptiness and loneliness that follow an insignificant legacy is like sunken, hollow cheeks of a sad face.
Sadistic seduction you know the part
The seduction of leaving a significant legacy is a cruel and torturous desire.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
OxyRottenTMS
big up's for posting this. i have been searching for the record. i used to own as well as the cd yet have yet to find a solid copy of it. i got all wasted 15 years ago & put my record collection in my arm, neck, whatever. i have since been in a better spot for many years although still searching for my favorites. i love vinyl and cd's. streaming is ok but i love the feel, sound & art of a record... anyway, you are awesome for putting this up. much thanks & cheers!! (A)
Andre Wellfare
Massa demais
Alfonso Patiño
Finally a good modern metal without these clean vocals!!