The Darkness

About The Darkness

Some might say that English metal band The Darkness were born at the wrong time. With their devotion to skin-tight spandex cat suits, transcendental guitar solos and everything female, The Darkness would have fit in perfectly with the late-1970's glam rock movement. But The Darkness would say that their time is NOW! Formed by guitarist Dan Hawkins, he recruited his brother Justin after witnessing his killer New Year's Eve performance of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody at the local pub. The Darkness' secret weapon has turned out to be Justin's piercing falsetto, and their live show quickly earned them local buzz. The Darkness were a refreshing change from the dour nu metal and chipper Brit pop dominating the charts at the time. They don't think you should be ashamed to go to an arena and raise your lighter high. Their debut album Permission To Land came with classic vintage album art and was full of fist-pumping power ballads and Dan's virtuoso solos. Some tracks, like "Love On the Rocks, No Ice" deliberately poke gentle fun at the excesses of the band's hair metal forbearers. But on their US hit single "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" they unleash a blast of pure sonic energy that's got nothing to do with irony. After whipping the British press into a frenzy with an arena tour and dramatic live awards show performances, The Darkness released their second album, One Way Ticket to Hell...And Back. Though it was not quite as well received as their first album, The Darkness continue to raise the flag high for fans of pure metal.