Dark Sermon

Dark Sermon was an American blackened death metal band from Tampa, Florida signed to eOne Music in North America and Nuclear Blast Records in Europe. The band was formed in 2009 under the name In Reference to a Sinking Ship and later changed their name to Dark Sermon in 2012. The band's most recent effort, The Oracle, was released on August 21, 2015 worldwide through eOne Music and Nuclear Blast Records. Dark Sermon has toured and played with many metal acts including Aborted, Chimaira, Sepultura, Behemoth, and Cattle Decapitation.

Dark Sermon
OriginTampa, Florida
GenresBlackened death metal, deathcore, melodic death metal[1]
Years active2009–2017
LabelsGood Fight Entertainment, eOne Music, Nuclear Blast Records
WebsiteDark Sermon on Facebook
MembersJohnny Crowder
Austin Good
Neal Minor
Paul Stellmach
Jordan Jensen
Past membersEvan Miller
Bryson St. Angelo
Austin Chandler

History

In Reference To A Sinking Ship (2009-2012)

Dark Sermon was formed in early 2009 in Tampa, Florida as In Reference To A Sinking Ship (IRTASS) by Austin Good, Bryson St. Angelo, Evan Miller, Austin Chandler and Johnny Crowder. As teenagers, the band released a demo in 2009 and their first EP, Aimless, in 2010. Both were received well by many underground blogs and publications such as Duckcore, Total Deathcore, Chugcore, and thelastdisaster. As an unsigned band, they drew national attention to the Tampa scene and shared the stage with bands such as Obscura,[2] Evergreen Terrace, Stick To Your Guns, Norma Jean, Shai Hulud,[3] as well as playing the 2010 editions of the Summer Slaughter Tour and Vans Warped Tour.[4] This immediate success in the Tampa metal scene led them to their first tours in early 2012 with King Conquer, Forty Winters and Abiotic.[5] The band had a unique blend to their sound, being the only extreme metal act in a scene that was oversaturated with melodic hardcore and metalcore bands. Although they were a favorite in their hometown, the name IRTASS was heavily criticized for being too long and complicated.

Name Change, Signing to eOne Music/Nuclear Blast, In Tongues (2012-2013)

Due to overbearing complications, the band decided to put In Reference to a Sinking Ship to rest and begin anew under the name, Dark Sermon. In an online interview, vocalist Johnny Crowder discussed the band's reasoning for a name change: "There are a lot of reasons why we changed our name. A six-word band name is too much. It's hard to remember, and I feel like people weren't taking us as seriously as they should. Our music and our name didn't match. People would see our name and scoff, but then we'd play and then they'd say, 'Oh, why is that band called that?' I feel like our new name represents our sound much better."[6]

Following their name change, the band hit the road for the first time as Dark Sermon for several tours with King Conquer, The World We Knew, Sirens and Sailors, and Abiotic. A couple of music videos were shot for two upcoming singles, "In Tongues"[7] and "Hounds"[8] that would eventually make its way to the album. On November 12, 2012, Dark Sermon announced that they signed a worldwide deal with eOne Music and would release their new album the following year.

This was the band's official statement on joining eOne: "We are very proud to announce that we have recently signed with eOne Music & Good Fight Entertainment! We are currently in the studio recording a brand new full length record, which is due to be out in March 2013 via eOne Music! We are extremely humbled to be labelmates with bands such as Chimaira, Hatebreed, Black Label Society, Impending Doom, and most recently, our new friends in Within the Ruins!"[9] The band ended their year in the best way possible with a new name, label support, and a last-minute slot to play Barge to Hell, an extreme metal boat cruise, from December 3–7, 2012 playing with veteran bands such as At The Gates, Exodus, Sepultura, Vital Remains, Soilwork, and more.[10]

The new year would go on to be their biggest yet when the band announced that their debut album In Tongues would be released on March 26, 2013 through eOne Music in North America.[11] The band was also able to sign a deal with Nuclear Blast Records to release their record through Europe on April 12, 2013.[12] The band released the first new single off of their upcoming album, "Imperfect Contrition" on March 5, 2013.[13] With a new album on the way and a couple of big labels behind them, the band began to tour relentlessly throughout North America in 2013. This touring cycle included their first trek into Canada in March 2013.[14]

The Oracle (2014-2016)

In 2014, the band announced a U.S headlining tour as well as news of a brand new single. They released "Starve," the first single from their to-be-released second album on June 18, 2014. Following their headliner, the band took some time off to work on the new album. This was followed by a fall tour with Suffokate, Reformers, Blood of the Martyrs, and Colossus. The band continued to complete their new album for the next few months and were slated for a 2015 release.

Dark Sermon was later announced as a last-minute addition to 70000 Tons of Metal from January 22–26, 2015; a four-day cruise with over 60 bands which featured legendary acts such as Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Venom, Behemoth, Arch Enemy, and more.[15] On March 2, 2015 the band announced that the new album was completed and would be out later that year. This was followed by a couple of announcements for back-to-back tours with Sworn Enemy / Wretched and Aborted / Fit For An Autopsy / Archspire. On May 28, the band announced their new album, The Oracle, would be released on August 21, 2015 through eOne Music.[16]

The band continued to tour and release several singles in support of the new album. The first music video off of The Oracle was filmed for the single "Rat King" and was released on September 8, 2015.[17] Dark Sermon spent the fall on tour supporting Cattle Decapitation throughout North America and released a second music video for the song "The Eyeless Needle." This is what the band had to say about their new ghastly video: "We opened with this track on the Cattle Decapitation tour, in large part because of how it feels. It showcases some of the different styles we’ve incorporated on the new record, including the slow and heavy slams as well as a healthy dose of that old school thrash we all grew up on.".[18]

Following the release of The Oracle, Dark Sermon's touring cycle continued throughout North America well into 2016 in support of major metal acts like Thy Art Is Murder, Rings of Saturn, and Rivers of Nihil. This cycle also included a full US headlining tour with support from Canadian hardcore band Exalt.

Indefinite Hiatus (2017)

On May 3, 2017, Dark Sermon's vocalist took to social media to address a relative silence regarding the band's plans for a follow-up to The Oracle. The cryptic statement is as follows:

"Hey all, J here. My eyes are flooding as I type this, but you deserve to hear it. Dark Sermon has been my life's work for nearly a decade – an unforgettable whirlwind of sweat, flat tires, and insane tours. In my head, DS would live on forever, but life rarely follows the imaginary paths we paint for it. At this point, we have fulfilled our contracts with eOne and Nuclear Blast. This, coupled with a rather unforgiving season of rotten luck, led several members to retire from touring altogether. While I was stubbornly determined to press on, the remaining members decided that now would be a good time to let DS rest. Initially, I couldn't accept it, but now I understand. Since high school, we’ve barely had a moment to tend to anything outside of the band. Looking back, I see how undying dedication to one solitary thing can lead to imbalance.

Is Dark Sermon done? Unfortunately, that is not up to me. However, I can't just stop writing music and sharing it with the world. This is why I created my new band, Prison. You can watch our new music video or preorder our new record if you'd like to support us. Although I am still trying to make peace with this situation, Dark Sermon brought immeasurable healing to me and countless others. And for that, I will never, ever forget it – or you. To everyone who has followed my personal journey with mental illness, faith, and sobriety, thank you. Whether you decide to accompany me in this new chapter or not, you’ve already given me more than I could ask for. You saved my life. I love each and every one of you. Deeply. Goodbye for now.

Yours forever,

J [Johnny Crowder]"

Prison (2017-present)

In the wake of the hiatus, vocalist and founding member Johnny Crowder began pursuing his new band, Prison, full-time. The project is reminiscent of mid-2000s alternative metal and nü metal bands such as Slipknot, Korn, Deftones, and Coal Chamber, using taboo lyrical content regarding mental illness, suicide, addiction, and sexual abuse to bring comfort and hope to those who suffer.

In 2017, Prison released a debut record entitled N.G.R.I. that peaked at #74 on the iTunes rock charts. Since its release, the band has toured extensively throughout North America with notable heavy music acts like Suicide Silence, Combichrist, Wednesday 13, Upon A Burning Body, and For The Fallen Dreams.

The band has also released several music videos for tracks from N.G.R.I., including "Rape Me," "The Knife and the Dying Dream," and "Wear Your Skin."

Tours

2012
  • East Coast tour from February 1 to February 19 with Forty Winters and A Fight For Life.[19] (as IRTASS)
  • Shredded to Pieces tour from April 15 to April 22 with King Conquer, Abiotic and Forty Winters.[20] (as IRTASS)
  • Brief run from August 5 to August 11 with The World We Knew and Sirens and Sailors[21]

2013

2014
  • Headlining tour from June 1 to June 25 with Kingmaker, Villains (Yüth Forever), and Widow (Darke Complex).[25]
  • The Thrill of the Kill tour from September 6 to September 19 with Suffokate, Colossus and Reformers.[26]

2015
  • No Mercy No Surrender tour from April 7 to May 1 with Sworn Enemy, Wretched and Hammerfight.[27]
  • Spring tour from May 8 to June 7 with Aborted, Fit For An Autopsy, and Archspire.[28]
  • The North American Extinction tour from September 15 to October 7 with Cattle Decapitation, King Parrot, and Black Crown Initiate.[29]

2016

Members

Discography
Albums

Videography
Title Year Director Album
"In Tongues" 2012 Jeffrey Moore In Tongues
"Hounds" 2013 Kevin J. Custer In Tongues
"Rat King" 2015 Joey Durango The Oracle
"The Eyeless Needle" 2015 Joey Durango The Oracle

References
  1. Lambert, Aaron. "Aborted Extirpate Denver and Prove Death Metal Is Alive and Well". Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  2. Polk, Leilani. "Obscura Review" Archived 2016-03-25 at the Wayback Machine. Creative Loafting Tampa. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  3. Van Pelt, Doug. (2011-06-05)."Bringing It Back For the Kids Fest review". HM Magazine. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  4. (2012-03-13)."In Reference To A Sinking Ship Interview" Archived 2016-03-25 at the Wayback Machine. The Core of Brutality. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  5. Kraus, Brian. (2012-04-02)."Abiotic Sign to Metal Blade Records". Alternative Press. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  6. Nabi, Owais. (2012-07-11). "Interview:Dark Sermon". Metal Wani. Retrieved on 2016-03-10.
  7. Kraus, Brian. (2012-09-01)."Dark Sermon Release Video for 'In Tongues'". Alternative Press. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  8. (2013-03-29)."Dark Sermon 'Hounds' Music Video". The Circle Pit. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  9. Swanson, Dan. (2012-11-14."Dark Sermon sign to eOne/Good Fight". "Straight Edge World Wide". Retrieved on 2016-03-10.
  10. Harvey, Jamie. (2012-12-11). "Barge To Hell: The World's Most Extreme Metal Cruise". Grammy.com. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  11. (2013-02-11)."Dark Sermon to release debut album in March". Lambgoat. Retrieved on 2016-03-10.
  12. (2013-02-13)."DARK SERMON Signs European Deal With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS". Blabbermouth. Retrieved on 2016-03-10.
  13. (2013-03-05)."Dark Sermon Release 'Imperfect Contrition' Lyric Video". The PRP. Retrieved on 2016-03-10.
  14. Gonda, Christopher. (2013-02-11)."DARK SERMON Announce New Album Details for 'In Tongues'; Touring with AEGAEON". Puregrainaudio. Retrieved on 2016-03-10.
  15. Frederick, Carl. (2015-01-21). "2015 Roster For 70,000 Tons Of Metal Nearly Finalized". Metal Underground. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  16. Sharp, Tyler. (2015-05-28)."Dark Sermon to release new album, ‘The Oracle’". Alternative Press. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  17. Bonazelli, Andrew. (2015-09-08). "Dark Sermon's 'Rat King' Doesn't Scurry When Something Bigger Comes Its Way". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved on 2016-03-17,
  18. Kennelty, Greg. (2015-11-10)."DARK SERMON's Music Video For "The Eyeless Needle" Is A Lot Like Being In A Graveyard At Dusk". Metal Injection. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  19. "Forty Winters, A Fight For Life tour dates". Lambgoat
  20. Martin Ken. (2012-03-20). "King Conquer, Abiotic, Forty Winters announce Shredded To Pieces tour!". Highwire Daze. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  21. (2012-07-16). "The World We Knew, Sirens and Sailors tour dates". Lambgoat. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  22. Divincenzo, Alex. (2013-01-14). "The World We Knew Farewell Dates". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  23. Gonda, Christopher. (2013-02-26). "Abiotic announce Metalfest Invasion tour with Dark Sermon". Pure Grain Audio. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  24. Srisavasdi, Greg. (2013-06-14). "Chimaira Unveil 2013 ‘Crown of Phantoms’ North American Tour'". Noisecreep. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  25. (2014-05-01). "Dark Sermon, Kingmaker, Villains & Widow Reveal June US Tour". The PRP. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  26. Sharp, Tyler. (2014-08-11). "Suffokate announce headlining tour dates with Reformers, Colossus, Mouth Of The South, more". Alternative Press. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  27. (2015-02-26). "SWORN ENEMY ANNOUNCE DATES FOR NO MERCY NO SURRENDER TOUR 2015 WITH WRETCHED, DARK SERMON, HAMMER FIGHT". Brave Words. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  28. Murphy, Sarah. (2015-03-27). "Aborted and Fit for an Autopsy Team Up for North American Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  29. Falina, Melanie. (2015-08-26). "Cattle Decapitation is on fire in 2015". AXS. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  30. Gonda, Christopher. (2015-12-17). "RIVERS OF NIHIL Announce Winter 2016 U.S. Headlining Tour with BLACK FAST and DARK SERMON". Pure Grain Audio. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
  31. (2016-02-26)."Rings of Saturn Announce Tour Dates with Thy Art Is Murder, Fit For An Autopsy, Dark Sermon". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved on 2016-03-17.
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