"This song sets the tone for the album both lyrically and sonically,” explains Darkest Hour guitar player Mike Schleibaum. “While this may be the most fierce album we have ever released, its depth and sonic richness are sure to be discovered as the listener dives in. Thematically this song has a dual purpose. On the surface it is a classic Darkest Hour song, ripe with the reflection of today’s bleak modern age but as you peel back the lyrics and ideas contained within the album story unfolds, one that is all too common in human history. This is the beginning, it is part bitter reflection of the way things are and part anthem for those who struggle to survive as the world encircles them. To quote Nina Simone: "An artists duty is to reflect the times", with that we hold a mirror to the face of all things truly horrific and give you, ‘The Knife in the Safe Room.’"

Pre-orders for the 12-song album are available now with physical bundles available via:

• Southern Lord’s webstore - http://southernlord.com/bands/view/darkest-hour
• Bandcamp - https://darkesthoursl.bandcamp.com
• iTunes - http://apple.co/2hpwKmE
• Apple Music - http://apple.co/2hSRIqX

The 12-song album was part of a crowd funding campaign that the band launched earlier this year, with the ultimate tally netting the band well over 100% of the initial goal and allowing them to also create an album beyond their initial expectations. The band chose producer Kurt Ballou (High on Fire, Nails, Converge) for “his obvious genius” (Schleibaum said) and recorded the release at Ballou’s Godcity Studio. Artist Shaun Beaudry was commissioned to create a custom painting, giving the album a unique visual identity.

“Working at Godcity was the perfect vibe for this record and Kurt was everything we could have asked for in a producer,” said Schleibaum. “The passion and experience he brought to the whole album really shows.”

Darkest Hour have since partnered with Southern Lord Recordings, which Schleibaum discussed, saying “The band has a long history of working with Greg and Southern Lord, who originally released the vinyl version of The Mark of Judas. While working with Kurt, we became reacquainted with Greg. We’ve always respected Greg’s work ethic, creative prowess and steadfast dedication to quality.”

“Southern Lord is beyond stoked to be working with long time favorites Darkest Hour on their upcoming album! Their tasteful, seamless fusion of hardcore and metal as well as never ending dedication to underground music is both admirable and praise worthy,” said Southern Lord founder Greg Anderson.

The band talks about the new album, crowd funding and the partnership with Southern Lord in the first of an ongoing series of podcasts, which can be heard here: http://dhradio.libsyn.com/ and http://apple.co/2htDn5v.

Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora track list:

1. Knife in the Safe Room
2. This is the Truth
3. Timeless Numbers
4. None of This is the Truth
5. The Flesh & The Flowers of Death
6. Those Who Survived
7. Another Headless Ruler of the Used
8. Widowed
9. Enter Oblivion
10. The Last of the Monuments
11. In the Name of Us All
12. Beneath It Sleeps

The Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora tour, presented by Metal Sucks:

February 17  Washington, D.C. Black Cat

February 18  Pittsburgh, PA  Diesel

February 19  Cleveland, OH  The Agora Theater

February 21  New York, NY  Saint Vitus

February 23  Chicago, IL  Reggie’s

February 24  Milwaukee, WI  The Metal Grill

February 26  Kansas City, MO  The Riot Room

February 28  Denver, CO  Marquis Theater

March 1  Salt Lake City, UT  Metro Bar

March 5  Portland, OR  Analog Cafe

March 6  Seattle, WA  Studio Seven

March 8  San Francisco, CA  DNA Lounge

March 11  San Diego, CA  Brick By Brick

March 12  Phoenix, AZ  Club Red

March 13  Tucson, AZ  Club XS

March 14  Albuquerque, NM  The Compound 2

March 15  Lubbock, TX  Backstage

March 16  Austin, TX  Grizzly Hall

March 17  Houston, TX  White Oak

March 19  Dallas, TX  Gas Monkey Bar & Grill

March 21  Cincinnati, OH  Northside Yacht Club

More dates will be announced soon.  Ringworm and Rivers of Nihil (except D.C.) open on all dates, Rotten Sound open Feb. 17 to March 4, Tombs open March 5 to March 21.

European tour dates:

April 16  Linz, Austria  Posthof

April 17  Graz, Austria  Orpheum

April 18  Budapest, Hungary

April 20  Bucharest, Romania

April 21  Sofia, Bulgaria  Maimunarnika

April 22  Thessaloniki, Greece  Principal Club Theatre

April 23  Athina, Greece  Piraeus Academy

April 25  Barcelona, Spain  Razzmatazz

April 27  Madrid, Spain  La Rivier

Parkway Drive open on all European dates except Budapest.

Darkest Hour is John Henry (vocals), Mike Schleibaum (guitar), Mike Carrigan (guitar), Travis Orbin (drums) and Aaron Deal (bass).

www.officialdarkesthour.com

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www.twitter.com/darkesthourrock

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