Darkest Hour has birthed a progeny of hardcore and punk, raised on a solid diet of death metal and thrash, creating a sound that is prodigiously dark.

photos & words by Brittney McCarthy of BM Images

Published for Outsiders Journal

I’m sure I am not alone when I say that Undoing Ruin was the soundtrack to many highschool house parties, headbanging on a couch throwing back boxed wine. In fact, now that I think about it, my adult method of enjoying Darkest Hour with some red and not leaving my house is not all that different. But hell, if I do leave the house a line up of this calibre is the reason I am putting on pants.


Openers RUN have been nothing short of formidable since forming in 2019, despite some hurdles, the five-piece brought a paroxysm of excitement as they launched into the first track For You from their 2020 EP. The audience was treated to a brand new track that they played for the first time called Everyone’s Cancelled. Everything’s Cancer. The 5-piece have the sound of a band that spans multiple genres. They fit on most bills so throwing in their beefed up cover of Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls was a surprising but welcome addition to the set. RUN is easy to headbang along too, but something more familiar had the crowd cheering and singing along. Vocalist and frontman Lochlan Watt has proven time and again that he is indomitable with his unique and menacing vocals; his presence on stage is one to be witnessed and revered, capturing the crowd from his first words. Delivering a set filled with foreboding and monstrous bass, coruscating guitar riffs, and drumming that permeated deep into my bones. RUN put on a performance deserving of any spot on the bill, but the tone was definitely set for Darkest Hours’ first show on Australian soil in over a decade.


Melbourne band Primitive have resurrected the early-mid 00’s metal style only to refine and mature it, they played through their EP With the Rats and Snakes taking the room on a journey through their carefully crafted sounds from start to end, I even witnessed goosebumps on a enraptured watcher. Frontman Tim Gauci was in constant conversation with the crowd, his dichotomy of being both ferocious and affable had those in the room keenly captivated. Guitarist Frank Ortisi deserves commendation for his absolutely God-like shredding act.


The Ascended entered accompanied by theatrical music which had me wondering if this was just an ominous opening in hindsight I think perhaps a gentle preparation for the incoming brutal wall of sound, Max Watts has hands down some of the best sound for a midsize venue and the sound system was put to work Thursday night. There is no question that the 4-piece from Warrnambool are no strangers to a stage, playing the show with ease and delivering crushing riffs you can’t help but groove to. Frontman Mat Wale has powerful relentless vocals that only intensifies the already brutal riffs. With carefully thrown in clean vocals you’ve got a sound that should not be overlooked.


Darkest Hour has birthed a progeny of hardcore and punk, raised on a solid diet of death metal and thrash, creating a sound that is prodigiously dark.


The stage in darkness and welcomed by a cinematic drumroll and fanfare was a portent of what was to follow as Darkest Hour slid deftly into Doomsayer closely followed by Convalescence, arguably two of their most iconic tracks.


The set from start to finish was both nostalgic and novel. I found myself at the back of the room unable to wipe the grin from my face, frontman John Henry has a distinctive voice that necessitates you sing along and headbang to every single song. As they announced their final song for the night, he called out to the crowd and signaled that a circle pit was in order. With just this gesture everyone immediately obliged as the permission was all they needed to let go.


I live for the prognostic declaration that this is in fact the last song for the night, followed by the conspicuous and immediate exit from the stage, holding the room hostage until the audience fervently requests 'one more song'. We all know you're coming back to play some brutal tracks Darkest Hour, don’t tease us. After performing the final two songs; With A Thousand Words To Say But One and Tranquil, John Henry thanked the crowd and said his goodbyes, walking off the stage. However the rest of the band appeared to refuse to stop playing. Mike Schleibaum leaping up onto the bass drum to really prove their point and mark the end of a truly decimating performance.

The Ascended

Primitive

RUN

Darkest Hour