Rock on Wednesday: The Darkness

As I've said in this episode of three tunes Tuesday, The Darkness has been one of my first influences in the rock genre when I was a teenager and contributed to my decision of becoming a guitarist.

If you don't know me, my name is Harbiter and I play dark electronic rock music, but my love for electronic is recent and I've always played rock and metal in various bands.
So let's go with this second Rock on Wednesday talking about one of my favourite band of all time. I've seen them live 4 times and I never get tired of seeing them again and again, as they give me so many emotions everytime. Ladies and gentlemen...

THE DARKNESS

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When The Darkness appeared on the mainstream scene in 2003 with their first album Permission to Land it's been a boom. In a musical world dominated by a new pop scene made up of names like Britney Spears, Black Eyed Peas and Beyonce, a world where rap and hip hop were about to take the spotlight, a world where being alternative meant listening to Linkin Park on one side or Oasis on the other, The Darkness arrived like a meteorite of pure rumbling guitar hard rock straight to the top of the charts.

With a sound borrowed heavily from the 70s, made up of high pitched voices and crushing amplifiers, if they'd come out nowadays no one would see them. But in 2003 they released perhaps the last hard rock album to have mainstream importance before the decline of the public interest for this genre.

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Born in Lowestoft, England in 2000, The Darkness initially took inspiration from bands such as Queen and Led Zeppelin. Led by brothers Dan and Justin Hawkins on guitars and vocals, thanks to a modern production, less vintage but more suited to the new millennium, they dropped a bomb of an album that is perfect from start to finish and is still seen even today by the same fans as the pinnacle of their production.

In fact it entered directly at number 2 in the English charts, selling over 1.3 million copies and leading the band to win three Brit Awards in 2004.

Although it contains relatively simple and direct songs, perhaps this was the secret to their success. In the midst of a scene looking for more particular or radio friendly sounds, The Darkness have penetrated the MTV stardom with powerful, aggressive but also very catchy songs, made immediately recognizable by Justin's unmistakable falsetto.

Even today I believe in a thing called love and Love is only a feeling are their strong points, the songs most acclaimed by the public at every concert. I really love every track on this album but if I had to choose just one I would say Love on the rocks with no ice.
200% pure rock 'n' roll power. Fearsome guitar riffs, a stratospheric voice, ear-splitting drums and 4 guitar solos, to then close with a dynamite sound finale. What a masterpiece!
Listen to this bomb track here 🔥

As a big fan, I also really appreciate all the works that followed this one, in particular Last of our kind. But to talk about it I would need another whole post, maybe another time hehe 😏

Thanks for your attention and see you at the next Rock on Wednesday 🤘🏻

Find out more about Harbiter and listen to my music on my website: harbiter.com