The Dark

From the polluted, corrupt and morally bankrupt Metropolis of Los Angeles come yet another incredible rock band. This is: The Dark.

Craig Johns JR joined forces with Alan Ashby ( better known as the six string maestro from RIAA Gold certified Californian metal stalwarts Of Mice & Men ) to start a project that truly reflected life in modern LA.

Joined by Drummer Derek Vautrinot and Bassist Nick Goins, The Dark are set to unleash their debut & eponymous EP, via Arising Empire.

Already enjoying international radio play, “Chemicals”, which had its world premiere on the BBC Radio 1 Rock show with Daniel P Carter, paints an apocalyptic vision of the end of the world through the eyes of two lovers. While the entire world is falling apart, 2 people choose to solely focus on each other and allow the world to collapse into ashes around them.

This first song released by Los Angeles based THE DARK was released on 20th September 2024 by independent record label Arising Empire, home to metalcore upstarts Thrown and a previous home to the likes of While She Sleeps. In under a month it garnered over 200,000 streams on spotify, blew up on tik tok and secured the band appearances on the 2025 warped tour and tour dates with red jumpsuit apparatus. But they are just getting started.

“Influenced by 90’s bands like Nine Inch Nails, White Zombie, Fudge Tunnel and Filter, as well as more recent peers such as Health and Deftones, “Chemicals” felt like a natural choice for our first single.
Singer Craig Johns Jr says: It’s something I’m less than proud of, but this story of two lovers focusing on each other while the world falls apart… This comes from a very real place I’ve found myself in in the past. There have been times where I’ve wrapped myself in things like lust and drugs, rather than facing the harsh reality of living in poverty in a major city like Los Angeles. Sometimes it’s easier to obsess over what’s in front of you, an easy escape, whether it’s a partner or a substance, and end up willfully blind to the bigger picture. This band is our love letter to the dark side of our human nature.

Making it into the Kerrang Chart, not bad for a first song ever and no shows played, the band announced December 2024 tour dates with Red Jump Suit Apparatus and released their follow up single, “ Slip Away”.

Craig Johns JR said:
Our first song, "Chemicals" was about coping in an unhealthy way. "Slip Away" is the natural progression of that. It's the next part of the story. It's losing yourself in your habits until you become unrecognizable. It's the pain when you come-to. It's self awareness and it's hurt.

"Slip Away" is struggle you face when you meet yourself where you're at. It's the pain when you look in the mirror honestly. It's a rude awakening.

When I wrote the video for "Slip Away", it was important to me I tell the story of the song, whereas "Chemicals" was more a day-in-the-life sort of video. You have this person, bound to the injured version of themselves... connected as one and confined to a space they can't escape. They separate and see their hurt before them. The bandages come off and it's loud, it's vulnerable... it's unpredictable. Only through acceptance and embrace can they find peace, but even still, in a space they'll never leave.

“Slip Away” has been added into rotation across active rock radio stations in the USA, including Octane / Sirius XM and as of todays date of 26th November 2024 sits in the top 20 of newly added songs at the format. They wont play a headline show until February 23rd 2025, to mark the release of their debut EP. That show takes place at the Echo in their home city of Los Angeles and tickets go on sale December 13th 2024.