Music

Darkest Hour on a new episode of Hard

by Theo Kapodistrias

Since their beginnings fifteen years ago, Washington, D.C.’s Darkest Hour has become one of the more prominent bands in contemporary American metal. To most music fans, D.C. is well known for its contribution to the hardcore / punk scene, and Darkest Hour cites punk and hardcore as a major influence in the development of the band’s musical style.

“My first shows were hardcore shows, going to see bands like Avail and Four Walls Falling,” said Darkest Hour bassist Paul Burnette. “That’s what really shaped me in music and live performance.”

“I was into more extreme death metal when I was a kid,” drummer Ryan Parrish added. “When we all came together it’s like we all put our influences in one bucket, shook it up, and made some songs.”

Parrish draws parallels between the two genres, stating that the same spirit is alive in both styles of music. “They’re both aggressive forms of expression. With punk rock you go crazy, you’re loud and obnoxious, you talk a lot of shit in your music and your lyrics—as far as how you feel about life and society and the government. I think metal has the same sort of vibe; you’re loud and aggressive and you get your feelings out.”

You can see video interviews / live performances of Darkest Hour, along with metalcore veterans Shai Hulud, metal newcomers Periphery, and black metal gods Panserfaust on a new episode of HARD tonight at 10 p.m., only on AUX.