Photo by: Pete Duvall
Official press release:
Darkest Hour, the D.C. metalcore pioneers, release their ninth full-length album, Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora, on March 10 via Southern Lord Recordings.
The 12-song album was part of a crowd funding campaign that the band launched earlier this year, with the ultimate tally netting the band well over 100% of the initial goal and allowing them to also create an album beyond their initial expectations. The band chose producer Kurt Ballou (High on Fire, Nails, Converge) for “his obvious genius” (as guitar player Mike Schleibaum said) and recorded the release at Ballou’s Godcity Studio. Artist Shaun Beaudry was commissioned to create a custom painting, giving the album a unique visual identity. Schleibaum said:
“Working at Godcity was the perfect vibe for this record and Kurt was everything we could have asked for in a producer. The passion and experience he brought to the whole album really shows.”
Darkest Hour have since partnered with Southern Lord Recordings, which Schleibaum discussed, saying:
“The band has a long history of working with Greg and Southern Lord, who originally released the vinyl version of The Mark of Judas. While working with Kurt, we became reacquainted with Greg. We’ve always respected Greg’s work ethic, creative prowess and steadfast dedication to quality.”
Southern Lord founder Greg Anderson said:
“Southern Lord is beyond stoked to be working with long time favorites Darkest Hour on their upcoming album! Their tasteful, seamless fusion of hardcore and metal as well as never ending dedication to underground music is both admirable and praise worthy.”
The band talks about the new album, crowd funding and the partnership with Southern Lord in the first of an ongoing series of podcasts, which can be heard here:
Additionally, the band have announced the first round of 2017 tour dates in support of Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora. Joining them on the road will be Ringworm, Rotten Sound (select dates), Tombs (select dates), and Rivers Of Nihil. More dates will be announced soon.
Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora track listing:
1. “Knife In The Safe Room”
2. “This Is The Truth”
3. “Timeless Numbers”
4. “None Of This Is The Truth”
5. “The Flesh & The Flowers Of Death”
6. “Those Who Survived”
7. “Another Headless Ruler Of The Used”
8. “Widowed”
9. “Enter Oblivion”
10. “The Last Of The Monuments”
11. “In The Name Of Us All”
12. “Beneath It Sleeps”
The Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora Tour:
2/17 – Washington, D.C. | Black Cat * ^
2/18 – Pittsburgh, PA | Diesel ^
2/19 – Cleveland, OH | Agora Theater ^
2/21 – New York, NY | Saint Vitus ^
2/23 – Chicago, IL | Reggie’s ^
2/24 – Milwaukee, WI | The Metal Grill ^
2/26 – Kansas City, MO | The Riot Room ^
2/28 – Denver, CO | Marquis Theater ^
3/05 – Portland, OR | Analog Cafe ~
3/06 – Seattle, WA | Studio Seven ~
3/08 – San Francisco, CA | DNA Lounge ~
3/11 – San Diego, CA | Brick By Brick ~
3/12 – Phoenix, AZ | Club Red ~
3/13 – Tucson, AZ | Club XS ~
3/14 – Albuquerque, NM | The Compound 2 ~
3/15 – Lubbock, TX | Backstage ~
3/16 – Austin, TX | Grizzly Hall ~
3/17 – Houston, TX | White Oak ~
3/19 – Dallas, TX | Gas Monkey Bar & Grill ~
3/21 – Cincinnati, OH | Northside Yacht Club ~
* = no Rivers Of Nihil
^ = w/ Rotten Sound
~ = w/ Tombs
