NewsSeptember 13, 2016 11:21 AM ET12,513 views

Darkest Hour begins recording new album

Official press release: Darkest Hour have entered the studio with Kurt Ballou to record their fully crowd-funded new album. The band has issued an update about everything going on in the Darkest Hour orbit right now, including the partial return of previous guitarist Kris Norris. So both fans and a former member are a huge part of this album, making it that much more special. The new Darkest Hour album is due out in February 2017. Here's a direct update from the band, similar to what was shared with its Indiegogo supporters.
"As we told the backers who contributed to our crowd-fund campaign for our forthcoming record (album nine), we are excited to announce we are ready to move into the next phase of the process — the recording! "We are recording with guitar/producer jedi Kurt Ballou at his very own God City studio in Salem, Mass. We'll be there for the next month and it's going to rule. The studio is amazing, Salem is beautiful this time of year, and it seems like a perfect environment to make some blistering metal. "We have tried our best to make this project special for not only fans but ourselves. Enlisting Kurt's help is only one step in the process. It's with this in mind that we would like to let you in on another little secret — we've brought back our very own guitarist Kris Norris (of Undoing Ruin, Deliver Us, Sadist Nation fame) to collaborate with us on a few tracks and possibly a guest solo or two. "We have been documenting the writing and recording process as we go so look for some web vidoes, live Facebook-ing, and whole lot more as we continue the journey that is making this record. "Once again, thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered or contributed to our Indiegogo campaign. This album will NOT disappoint. We can't wait to assault you ears with these jams."
Of his return to making music with Darkest Hour, Norris said, "When the guys contacted me about the idea of a collaboration, I was excited because it has been a really long time since I've worked with them all. I've stayed in touch with them over the past years and it's really awesome to see that they keep trying new things on every album and growing musically. I've always felt there was a really good writing chemistry and it's awesome to see that it's still there." Michael "Lonestar" Carrigan concurred, saying, "Working with Kris was a lot of fun, it started pretty causal, and developed into something natural. All of us together, in one room, was not only inspiring but has yielded some pretty awesome results. Can't wait for everyone to hear what we have been working on." Lastly, Mike Schleibaum said, "While this album is not throwback or homage to anything we have done in the past, we are doing our best to capture the spirit and energy of those early records this time. Bringing in Kris on a few songs is just a great way to keep things fresh. This album is as forward-thinking creatively as it is noticeably Darkest Hour sonically."

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anonymous 9/13/2016 8:36:00 AM

These dudes need Kris Norris back in the fold to achieve any kind of relevance again.

anonymous 9/13/2016 8:43:46 AM

I hope this is another commercially successful hard rock album similar to their prior masterpiece that sounds nothing like any of their prior records

anonymous 9/13/2016 9:09:43 AM

These guys bombed so hard on the 2014 Mayhem Fest. Selling out isn't an option. The mainstream won't have them.

anonymous 9/13/2016 9:36:38 AM

and whole lot more and whole lot more and whole lot more and whole lot more and whole lot more and whole lot more

PeterGrey 9/13/2016 9:49:14 AM

every week darkest hour is "about to begin recording." Bored.

anonymous 9/13/2016 10:04:59 AM

I saw them 12 years ago in Erie PA. Their drummer was playing the drums during their songs. There were a couple guys playing guitars.

anonymous 9/13/2016 10:10:41 AM

ya but also at the same time who cares

anonymous 9/13/2016 10:10:48 AM

Darkest Hour used to be the new and improved At the Gates. Now they are nothing more than puppets of the musical industrial complex. They are only being propped up by the Ernie Ball guitar string lobby and neo-conservative metal interest groups. They don't need to sell records or tickets to sell out. True Washington DC players in every way.

anonymous 9/13/2016 10:55:43 AM

Inside-the-beltway establishmentarian progressive statist sellouts here. The grassroots metal community will not stand for this. We have a constitutional right to consume good metal music and these suits better resist the call of the clean vocals lobby, the djent lives matter agitators and the fashioncore special interest groups goddamnit

anonymous 9/13/2016 11:37:45 AM

CYC is full of cops.

anonymous 9/13/2016 11:57:47 AM

Who's even in the band anymore? The little guy that was drumming is gone, that weirdo bass player is gone, Norris left years ago but I guess is back for this collab...guess its just Shleiberknocker and John Henry plus the guy from At All Cost?

anonymous 9/13/2016 1:00:53 PM

Can't help feel bad, them and KSE basically opened the door to every it dies today, dead to fall, IKTPQ 3rd wave metalcore band and bombed in slow mo since. Now we've got what, 7th wave asking Alexandria shit which is buying houses and these old dogs are probably working at Walmart to pay off Merch debts.

anonymous 9/13/2016 1:20:49 PM

Darkest Hour used to be the new and improved At the Gates. ^^^^^ At no point was this statement ever true.

anonymous 9/13/2016 4:13:02 PM

I have a cousin from the dc area and they're proud of the reputation.

anonymous 9/13/2016 4:14:24 PM

These guys still playing to less than 100 people a show?

anonymous 9/13/2016 4:16:01 PM

Imagine a member leaving this band. "The former Darkest Hour singer is starting a new band called Lightest Minute. As the new Lightest Minute singer he plans to step out of the shadows of his former band, Darkest Hour."

anonymous 9/13/2016 4:20:54 PM

This band and August Burns Red are probably the best and most defining Metalcore bands out there. They have the instrumentation. They have the melodies. NOT just monotonous breakdowns throughout. Considering they both practically use the same breakdown as Unearth's "Watch It Burn" in every song, boths band is doing ok.

anonymous 9/13/2016 11:36:45 PM

^^ PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE DEVOLVED NEANDERTHAL THAT MAKE UP THIS COMMENT SECTION

anonymous 9/14/2016 5:22:14 AM

I dunno if I can recall DH ever doing a "breakdown" you dunce. And ABR has for years been the definition of mindless breakdowns and recently they're the definition of BTBAM ripoffs since they've run out of chugg patterns they think fck we might as well throw in some wood blocks and rain sticks and make like we're in feudal Japan

anonymous 9/14/2016 8:43:00 AM

I gave them $10 to pre-order this so if it sucks I'm gonna be coming for your blood, Schleieleislcieblaum

anonymous 9/14/2016 10:02:11 AM

undoing ruin is a banger from front to back.

anonymous 9/14/2016 2:48:01 PM

2004 and 2006 is stoked

anonymous 9/14/2016 9:04:55 PM

This is awesome. DH are the all time hometown heroes of DC. Great to see an old face back in the mix, but I'm stoked on the evolution.

anonymous 10/8/2016 6:10:28 AM

last record was actual trash




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