The Eternal Return (album)
Encyclopedia
The Eternal Return is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal
band Darkest Hour released on June 23, 2009 through Victory Records
. The album was produced by Brian McTernan
(Senses Fail
, Thrice
, From Autumn To Ashes
) who had previously produced Darkest Hour's debut album The Mark of the Judas
in 2000. The album fulfilled the band's contract with Victory, making it their last release through the label.
, making this the first album since 2001's So Sedated, So Secure to not feature Norris. He was temporarily replaced by former At All Cost
guitarist Mike Carrigan, who was later made a permanent member of the band after filling in for Norris during the 2008 "Thrash and Burn" tour. After departing from the band, Norris began working on a solo album with a new band under the name "The Kris Norris Projekt", began pursuing his career as a music producer and later filled in for God Forbid
's rhythm guitarist Dallas Coyle during their 2009 tours.
The Eternal Return was produced by Brian McTernan
at Salad Days Studio in Baltimore, Maryland. Darkest Hour had previously worked with McTernan on their 2000 debut album The Mark of the Judas
, and had been a long-time supporter of the band since its formation in 1995. According to Darkest Hour lead guitarist and founding member Mike Schleibaum, Brian McTernan "helped solidify our sound and define us as a band. Eight years later, it's time to do it again. With all the scars of our past to guide us, we look towards a new future."
During the Thrash and Burn European Tour 2009
, Darkest Hour played "No God", the first song from The Eternal Return to be performed live prior to its release. The song was later temporarily made available for free as part of a Victory Records Memorial Day Metal Sampler, one month before the release of the album. To coincide with the start of the 2009 Summer Slaughter Tour
, Darkest Hour posted "Devolution of the Flesh" on their MySpace
page on June 5, 2009.
Darkest Hour and Victory Records also set up a contest for the release of The Eternal Return dubbed "The Eternal Giveaway". Each first pressing physical copy of the album contained a Victory Metal bonus insert with a unique code. For one week, starting June 23, 2009, the day of release, fans could enter their code into the Eternal Giveaway website to instantly win one of 50 prizes. Some of the prizes included clothing, musical equipment and instruments, tickets and backstage passes to Darkest Hour shows and a chance for Darkest Hour to play at the winner's house party. The Victory Metal insert also acted as a coupon for Darkest Hour merchandise.
The Eternal Return sold 4,700 copies in its first week of release, allowing the album to peak at 104 on the Billboard 200
.
, the "melody and songwriting" of 2005's Undoing Ruin
, and the "technicality and musicianship" of 2007's Deliver Us
.
In an interview with HardcoreSounds Darkest Hour explained the concept behind the record and the title, The Eternal Return. Vocalist John Henry described the concept as both "a death and a rebirth" for the band. He felt that the band had "come full circle" as this album returns to Darkest Hour's more aggressive roots and also features their former producer, Brian McTernan. Henry also saw the album as a rebirth of the band with the addition of a new guitarist, Mike Carrigan, and the end of Darkest Hour's contract with Victory Records. Guitarist Mike Schleibaum added that the title also described how the album compiled the sound from every Darkest Hour record. Schleibaum went on to say that this album was a return to what the members liked about the band. In an interview with Balitmore's 98 Rock
, Schleibaum described the album as more "pissed off" and "badass." He commented on Darkest Hour's previous recording sessions where the band had tried to push the direction of their sound to be more "melodic
" and "proggier
," but with The Eternal Return they wanted to make a more aggressive and "energetic" record.
Darkest Hour had conceived the idea of making a more aggressive album during the 2007 Deliver Us sessions. The last song on every Darkest Hour record, in the past, has always been an indication of what the style of the following album would be. The title and final track of Deliver Us was the "heaviest, fastest song" on that album.
was favourable, stating "The album has a sense of urgency about it that belies the band's veteran status and the energy level remains high because of it". Ultimate Guitar
said "The Eternal Return, is their strongest, heaviest, and most innovative release to date", with a rating of (8.2/10). Staff reviewer for Sputnikmusic
Channing Freeman was less favourable, commenting "While Darkest Hour didn't change much on The Eternal Return, it's still a great metal album that is catchy and fun while still being dark" giving the album three and a half out of five stars.
Production
Art
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Darkest Hour released on June 23, 2009 through Victory Records
Victory Records
Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony Brummel. It is a privately held corporation. It also operates a music publishing company called "Another Victory, Inc." and is the distributor of several smaller independent record labels....
. The album was produced by Brian McTernan
Brian McTernan
Brian McTernan is a record producer who has worked with bands from all over the world. He works out of the Baltimore, MD area at Salad Days Studio. Brian was voted to be one of the 50 most influential people in Maryland by the Maryland Daily Record...
(Senses Fail
Senses Fail
Senses Fail is an American post-hardcore band from Ridgewood, New Jersey. Formed in 2002, the line up initially consisted of vocalist Buddy Nielsen, drummer Dan Trapp, guitarists Dave Miller and Garrett Zablocki and being completed by bassist Mike Glita. The band quickly issued their debut EP, From...
, Thrice
Thrice
Thrice is an American rock band from Irvine, California, formed in 1998. The group was founded by guitarist/vocalist Dustin Kensrue and guitarist Teppei Teranishi while they were in high school....
, From Autumn To Ashes
From Autumn to Ashes
From Autumn to Ashes was a NY melodic hardcore band that formed in Long Island in 2000. While the band had gone through many line-up changes, the members include Francis Mark , Scott Gross , Benjamin Perri , Brian Deneeve , Mike Pilato , Rob Lauritsen , and Jeff Gretz From Autumn to Ashes was a NY...
) who had previously produced Darkest Hour's debut album The Mark of the Judas
The Mark of the Judas
The Mark of the Judas is the first full length album released by American heavy metal band Darkest Hour.- Track listing :# "For the Soul of the Savior" - 6:01# "A Blessing in Tragedy" - 3:07# "The Legacy" - 3:42# "Part II" - 2:31# "Eclipse" - 4:56...
in 2000. The album fulfilled the band's contract with Victory, making it their last release through the label.
Background
In September 2008, prior to the recording of The Eternal Return, Darkest Hour parted ways with guitarist Kris NorrisKris Norris
Kris Norris is the former guitarist of the band Darkest Hour and temporary replacement guitarist for God Forbid and Threat Signal. Kris released a solo record "Icons of the Illogical" with The Kris Norris Projekt on Magna Carta Records in early 2009....
, making this the first album since 2001's So Sedated, So Secure to not feature Norris. He was temporarily replaced by former At All Cost
At All Cost (band)
At All Cost was an American groove metal/metalcore band from Austin, Texas.-Final Show:The band played a final show on December 19, 2009 with The Jonbenet at Walters on Washington in Houston, Texas.- Members :* Andrew Collins - Vocals, Keyboard...
guitarist Mike Carrigan, who was later made a permanent member of the band after filling in for Norris during the 2008 "Thrash and Burn" tour. After departing from the band, Norris began working on a solo album with a new band under the name "The Kris Norris Projekt", began pursuing his career as a music producer and later filled in for God Forbid
God Forbid
God Forbid is an American heavy metal band formed in 1996 in East Brunswick, New Jersey.-Biography:Building up a following in the late 1990s by touring with bands such as GWAR, Nile, Cradle of Filth and Candiria, God Forbid's first full album Reject the Sickness was released by 9 Volt Records in 1999...
's rhythm guitarist Dallas Coyle during their 2009 tours.
The Eternal Return was produced by Brian McTernan
Brian McTernan
Brian McTernan is a record producer who has worked with bands from all over the world. He works out of the Baltimore, MD area at Salad Days Studio. Brian was voted to be one of the 50 most influential people in Maryland by the Maryland Daily Record...
at Salad Days Studio in Baltimore, Maryland. Darkest Hour had previously worked with McTernan on their 2000 debut album The Mark of the Judas
The Mark of the Judas
The Mark of the Judas is the first full length album released by American heavy metal band Darkest Hour.- Track listing :# "For the Soul of the Savior" - 6:01# "A Blessing in Tragedy" - 3:07# "The Legacy" - 3:42# "Part II" - 2:31# "Eclipse" - 4:56...
, and had been a long-time supporter of the band since its formation in 1995. According to Darkest Hour lead guitarist and founding member Mike Schleibaum, Brian McTernan "helped solidify our sound and define us as a band. Eight years later, it's time to do it again. With all the scars of our past to guide us, we look towards a new future."
During the Thrash and Burn European Tour 2009
Thrash and Burn European Tour 2009
The Thrash and Burn European Tour 2009 was a metal tour in April and May 2009 in Europe co-headlined by the American bands Darkest Hour and Bleeding Through...
, Darkest Hour played "No God", the first song from The Eternal Return to be performed live prior to its release. The song was later temporarily made available for free as part of a Victory Records Memorial Day Metal Sampler, one month before the release of the album. To coincide with the start of the 2009 Summer Slaughter Tour
The Summer Slaughter Tour
The Summer Slaughter Tour is an annual death metal tour originally held in the United States, but now in Europe and as of 2009, Australia and New Zealand.It is dubbed "The Most Extreme Tour of the Year"....
, Darkest Hour posted "Devolution of the Flesh" on their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page on June 5, 2009.
Darkest Hour and Victory Records also set up a contest for the release of The Eternal Return dubbed "The Eternal Giveaway". Each first pressing physical copy of the album contained a Victory Metal bonus insert with a unique code. For one week, starting June 23, 2009, the day of release, fans could enter their code into the Eternal Giveaway website to instantly win one of 50 prizes. Some of the prizes included clothing, musical equipment and instruments, tickets and backstage passes to Darkest Hour shows and a chance for Darkest Hour to play at the winner's house party. The Victory Metal insert also acted as a coupon for Darkest Hour merchandise.
The Eternal Return sold 4,700 copies in its first week of release, allowing the album to peak at 104 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
Sound and theme
The band hoped to make The Eternal Return an aggressive metal album with "no hidden agenda, no pop hit, or stylistic departure to broaden the fan base." Schleibaum described the album as having the "aggression and speed" of 2003's Hidden Hands of a Sadist NationHidden Hands of a Sadist Nation
Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation is the third full-length studio album by Darkest Hour. This album, along with the band's future work, displays more melodic death metal influences than their previous albums. It was released in 2003, and contains nine tracks on the regular release and ten for the...
, the "melody and songwriting" of 2005's Undoing Ruin
Undoing Ruin
Undoing Ruin is the fourth full-length studio album by Darkest Hour, released on June 28, 2005.It was the band's first album to enter the Billboard 200 albums chart, debuting at #138...
, and the "technicality and musicianship" of 2007's Deliver Us
Deliver Us
Deliver Us is the fifth studio album by Darkest Hour. It was released on July 10, 2007 through Victory Records. The album debuted at number 110 on the Billboard album charts, with sales of 6,600. "Sanctuary" is featured in the video game, Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, and Demon is featured in Guitar...
.
In an interview with HardcoreSounds Darkest Hour explained the concept behind the record and the title, The Eternal Return. Vocalist John Henry described the concept as both "a death and a rebirth" for the band. He felt that the band had "come full circle" as this album returns to Darkest Hour's more aggressive roots and also features their former producer, Brian McTernan. Henry also saw the album as a rebirth of the band with the addition of a new guitarist, Mike Carrigan, and the end of Darkest Hour's contract with Victory Records. Guitarist Mike Schleibaum added that the title also described how the album compiled the sound from every Darkest Hour record. Schleibaum went on to say that this album was a return to what the members liked about the band. In an interview with Balitmore's 98 Rock
WIYY
WIYY is a radio station in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, owned by the Hearst Corporation. WIYY broadcasts an Mainstream Rock format that mixes music popular in the modern rock, heavy metal and classic rock genres...
, Schleibaum described the album as more "pissed off" and "badass." He commented on Darkest Hour's previous recording sessions where the band had tried to push the direction of their sound to be more "melodic
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
" and "proggier
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
," but with The Eternal Return they wanted to make a more aggressive and "energetic" record.
Darkest Hour had conceived the idea of making a more aggressive album during the 2007 Deliver Us sessions. The last song on every Darkest Hour record, in the past, has always been an indication of what the style of the following album would be. The title and final track of Deliver Us was the "heaviest, fastest song" on that album.
Reception
Allmusic gave the album four stars, calling it a "very solid metalcore/melodic death metal album" and that "Just about every other song here, though, features a hooky riff and a memorable -- if not "catchy" in the traditional pop chart sense—chorus". Blabbermouth.netBlabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
was favourable, stating "The album has a sense of urgency about it that belies the band's veteran status and the energy level remains high because of it". Ultimate Guitar
Ultimate Guitar Archive
Ultimate Guitar Archive, also known as Ultimate-Guitar.com or simply UG, is a large guitarist community website known for its large amount of guitar and bass tablature, reviews of music and equipment, interviews with notable musicians, online written and video lessons, and forums...
said "The Eternal Return, is their strongest, heaviest, and most innovative release to date", with a rating of (8.2/10). Staff reviewer for Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic
Sputnikmusic, or simply Sputnik, is a music website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites...
Channing Freeman was less favourable, commenting "While Darkest Hour didn't change much on The Eternal Return, it's still a great metal album that is catchy and fun while still being dark" giving the album three and a half out of five stars.
Track listing
All songs written by Darkest Hour.- "Devolution of the Flesh" – 2:46
- "Death Worship" – 3:10
- "The Tides" – 4:19
- "No God" – 4:47
- "Bitter" – 1:19
- "Blessed Infection" – 3:25
- "Transcendence" – 4:20
- "A Distorted Utopia" – 2:57
- "Black Sun" – 3:16
- "Into the Grey" – 4:34
Personnel
Darkest Hour- John Henry – vocals
- Mike Carrigan – guitars
- Mike Schleibaum – guitars
- Paul Burnette – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Ryan Parrish – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Production
- Produced and mixed by Brian McTernanBrian McTernanBrian McTernan is a record producer who has worked with bands from all over the world. He works out of the Baltimore, MD area at Salad Days Studio. Brian was voted to be one of the 50 most influential people in Maryland by the Maryland Daily Record...
- Additional engineering and tape op by Kory Gabel
- Pro Tools engineering by Pete Duvall
Art
- Original artwork by Lloyd Winter
- Photos by Pete Duvall
- Layout and design by Sons of NeroSons of NeroSons of Nero is a graphic design group that was formed in 2000 by Matthew "Portland" Hay of the metalcore group Nora. It consists of four artists who primarily design artwork and packaging for bands and musical ensembles, but also design t-shirts and websites...
Chart performance
| Chart (2009) | Chart peak |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
104 |
| US Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
1 |
| US Top Independent Albums | 16 |