Washington, D.C. metalcore pioneers DARKEST HOUR release their new single and video, "Warrior," today. This is the second single from the band’s forthcoming album, Suffer Divine, out on October 30.
Guitarist Mike Schleibaum comments, “This song showcases our melodic death metal tendencies with a bit of a modern twist. It draws you deep into a fresh yet familiar DH sound. I love the progressiveness of Nico’s solo, the intricacy of Travis’ drum work, Deal’s devastating low end, John’s vocal delivery, and lyrical density. This album is full of both rage and technicality. It’s furious with focused intent, and this song is a perfect example of that in action.”
Vocalist John Henry adds, “Lyrically, this song is meant to reach out to the intrapersonal warrior. The internal struggle is often the most important battle we ever fight. This song touches on the idea of gaining control of your thoughts, actions, and purpose. It's meant to be fuel for action.”
Acclaimed filmmaker Thomas Mignone directed the accompanying video for “Warrior” for DOOM Inc.
Schleibaum says, "The video for ‘Warrior’ is heavily inspired by one of our favorite movies, Raging Bull AND one of our favorite music videos, ‘Mama Said Knock You Out.’ This video is both fun and tough at the same time.”
Pre-order/order Suffer Divine:
https://darkesthour.ffm.to/sufferdivine
The band has also announced a headlining U.S. tour with direct support from Judiciary. The dates kick off on December 1 in Austin, TX, right after the band wraps up their run with Fear Factory.
A bastard child born from the mid-'90s punk, metal, and hardcore movement, DARKEST HOUR emerged from Washington, D.C. with a sound that fused the passion, energy, and soul of punk and hardcore with the speed, vengeance, and fury of melodic speed, thrash, and death metal. Widely regarded as pioneers of modern metalcore, the band played a key role in defining the sound that would become known as the New Wave of American Metal.
Throughout their career, DARKEST HOUR has continually evolved without abandoning the intensity that has defined them from the beginning. Their blend of melodic death metal and metalcore has earned them a devoted following and critical acclaim. In 2024, the band released its tenth full-length album, Perpetual Terminal.
As AllMusic has noted, "Modern metalcore pioneers Darkest Hour employ an uncompromising sonic attack rooted in melodic speed, thrash metal, and the righteous fury of punk and hardcore."
That relentless approach remains central to the band's identity. New Noise Magazine has praised DARKEST HOUR for maneuvering "with an unrivaled level of dedication" as they continue developing their distinctive melodic fusion of heavy metal and hardcore. The publication also noted that, while remaining true to their punk-rock mentality, the band continues to embrace new methods of expression with each album.
For vocalist John Henry, that longevity is rooted in something deeper than simply making music.
"This has been such a constant in my life that I can't live without," Henry told New Noise. "Any time we ever felt dragged down, something would happen where we would write a song, or we would do a tour, and it'd be, like, okay, we can't stop. This is what we know. This is what we love, and we love doing it too much."
With "Warrior," DARKEST HOUR continue that decades-long journey, delivering another chapter in a career built on intensity, perseverance, and an unwillingness to stand still.
DARKEST HOUR is:
John Henry – vocals
Mike Schleibaum – guitar
Nico Santora – guitar
Aaron Deal – bass
Travis Orbin – drums
HEADLINING TOUR DATES:
12.01 Austin, TX Come And Take It Live
12.02 Dallas, TX Trees
12.03 Lawrence, KS Bottleneck
12.04 Chicago, IL Reggies Rock Club
12.05 Pontiac, MI Pike Room
12.06 Pittsburgh, PA Preserving Underground
12.07 Toronto, ON Lee’s Palace
12.08 Montreal, QC Foufounes
12.09 Albany, NY Empire Underground
12.10 Worcester, MA The Palladium (Upstairs)
12.11 Brooklyn, NY St. Vitus
12.12 Millersville, PA Phantom Power
12.13 Washington, DC Atlantis
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
darkesthourband.com
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