Darkest Era

Hailing from Northern Ireland, Darkest Era have carved a reputation for crafting some of the most emotive, atmospheric and powerful heavy metal in the underground. Formed in 2006, they draw influence from a diverse range of sources from Bathory to Nick Cave, Irish Folk to Yorkshire Doom, all infused with their unique wistful melancholy that makes their sound stand above others.

They released the critically acclaimed ‘The Last Caress of Light’ on Metal Blade Records in 2011, with the album featuring on various end of year top 10 lists. The band found themselves on UK and European tours (RTN Touring) and established themselves as a live force to be reckoned with. The follow up album ’Severance’ once again captured the imagination of the band’s growing fanbase and saw the band appearing at a number of festivals including RAGNAROK (DE)

July 2021 saw the band enter the studio to record their long awaited third album with Chris Fielding (Winterfylleth, Conan, Primordial). The result is “Wither on the Vine”; which presents the band at the height of their songwriting and performance. Exploring themes of human tragedy, bitter misanthropy and pagan spirituality, it is an album of devastating emotional weight and musical catharsis.

Recorded at Wales’ legendary Foel Studios with producer Chris Fielding (Electric Wizard, Primordial, Winterfylleth, Witchsorrow), it finds the band exploring their shadowy take on the traditional heavy metal sounds of Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy, while incorporating elements of doom, black metal, blackgaze, and anything else that casts a musical shadow. Expanding their horizons as to where their sound could go on Withered On The Vine, guitarist Mulgrew says it could best be described as simply “dark metal.”

He adds, “The album presents a bleak reflection of the world as it stands today; politically, socially, environmentally. Among themes of human tragedy and personal introspection, there are also songs touching on pagan spirituality, the Dionysian perspective and even gothic romance. Stylistically the album mixes black metal and doom metal elements with an almost classic rock sense of tone. We hope the album resonates with listeners seeking music with genuine power and emotional weight, pulling them into its dark visions.”

After a long absence, far from withering away, Darkest Era have returned as experts in their craft, and made a definitive dark metal statement.