GENRE: METALCORE / THRASH METAL
Introduction
"People have asked us in the past, "Why are you writing metal? it died out at the end of the 80s?" This has made me think a lot.
But it comes down to the fact that WE WANT to make metal. People think we're violent or satanic or psychopathic.
But all we want is for people out there to think about things greater than themselves. We want people to think about the world they live in,
as chucks nation put it; "Why so afraid of thinking for yourself? Why do lie down and cannot care?" So all of you listening right now,
think about how you can take back your world from those who want to take it from you." - Mike Walters having a rant at a live show.
But it comes down to the fact that WE WANT to make metal. People think we're violent or satanic or psychopathic.
But all we want is for people out there to think about things greater than themselves. We want people to think about the world they live in,
as chucks nation put it; "Why so afraid of thinking for yourself? Why do lie down and cannot care?" So all of you listening right now,
think about how you can take back your world from those who want to take it from you." - Mike Walters having a rant at a live show.
HISTORY
At age 12 guitarists Mike Walters and Martin Black began to jam together.
With a song called Energy they began to get noticed for what talents they had.
Working with drummer Shane D'Avitto they formed a hardcore punk band called SHOGUN. They dissolved soon after,
but they still all had the same dream of musical success. 6 years later, Mike and Shane met up by sheer chance.
Mike, who had been in and out of several bands, mostly kicked out for his "showboy" attitude, was impressed by Shane's fitness and speed.
Shane, who had focused only on drum skills, was stunned by Mike's new found vocal skills and his way of working a crowd.
Calling Martin, they began to pick up where Shogun left of. With a darker attitude and bleaker lyrics, they named themselves BLACKENED.
After a couple of shows, they realised they needed a bassist. After a few auditions Hugh Freeman blew them away with his bass solo called lost.
Hired on the spot, the band went straight to the studio. Creating a three song demo called Ideology,
they found there was already a band called blackened. So they switched to Darkened. However,
they found very little support without a vocalist. Mike took up the challenge, and they are now re-releasing the demo.
With a song called Energy they began to get noticed for what talents they had.
Working with drummer Shane D'Avitto they formed a hardcore punk band called SHOGUN. They dissolved soon after,
but they still all had the same dream of musical success. 6 years later, Mike and Shane met up by sheer chance.
Mike, who had been in and out of several bands, mostly kicked out for his "showboy" attitude, was impressed by Shane's fitness and speed.
Shane, who had focused only on drum skills, was stunned by Mike's new found vocal skills and his way of working a crowd.
Calling Martin, they began to pick up where Shogun left of. With a darker attitude and bleaker lyrics, they named themselves BLACKENED.
After a couple of shows, they realised they needed a bassist. After a few auditions Hugh Freeman blew them away with his bass solo called lost.
Hired on the spot, the band went straight to the studio. Creating a three song demo called Ideology,
they found there was already a band called blackened. So they switched to Darkened. However,
they found very little support without a vocalist. Mike took up the challenge, and they are now re-releasing the demo.
Members
Mike Walters (Rhythm Guitar/Guitar 1), Hugh Freeman (Bass), Shane D'Avitto (Drums), Martin Black (Lead Guitar/Guitar 2)
Mike Walters (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals): The founding member of hardcore band Shogun, he also was the person who conceived Darkened.
Writing the majority of the guitar riffs and the lyrics, he carries most of the weight when it comes to writing new material.
Mostly leaving the lead playing to Martin, he is A natural showman, when on stage he can nearly always keep the crowd entertained.
Influences: Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Five Finger Death Punch, Trivium.
Shane D'Arrzo (Drums): Think Big. Think 6'4" with the muscle of a football player. If he had stuck with the family,
he'd probably be a hitman in the mafia now. Now, he uses his fitness and strength to beat the drums into submission.
He takes no shit, and if the guys need anyone to watch their back even going back to Shogun, he was always there.
Influences: Avenged Sevenfold, Mayhem, Lamb of God, Metallica, Slayer.
Martin "Marto" Black (Lead Guitar): Considered a very classy solo guitarist, Marto applied his skills to band play.
Now with an ability to play fast leads without forgetting a note, he helps the entertainment value with his perfected solos.
While a little shy on stage, he will summon his courage to take center stage while playing his solos.
The nice guy of the band, he is the one most often actually dating a girl instead of loving and leaving like Mike and Shane.
Influences: DragonForce, Metallica, Machine Head, Megadeth, Anthrax.
Hugh Freeman (Bass): If this band ever needed one more person to get them far, it was Hugh.
With bass solos, a natural ability to save Mike his writing shortcomings and a few handy contacts, he not only fitted the band perfectly,
but also made them play better. It was what everyone was hoping for when they chose Hugh.
Influences: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Anthrax.
Mike Walters (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals): The founding member of hardcore band Shogun, he also was the person who conceived Darkened.
Writing the majority of the guitar riffs and the lyrics, he carries most of the weight when it comes to writing new material.
Mostly leaving the lead playing to Martin, he is A natural showman, when on stage he can nearly always keep the crowd entertained.
Influences: Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Five Finger Death Punch, Trivium.
Shane D'Arrzo (Drums): Think Big. Think 6'4" with the muscle of a football player. If he had stuck with the family,
he'd probably be a hitman in the mafia now. Now, he uses his fitness and strength to beat the drums into submission.
He takes no shit, and if the guys need anyone to watch their back even going back to Shogun, he was always there.
Influences: Avenged Sevenfold, Mayhem, Lamb of God, Metallica, Slayer.
Martin "Marto" Black (Lead Guitar): Considered a very classy solo guitarist, Marto applied his skills to band play.
Now with an ability to play fast leads without forgetting a note, he helps the entertainment value with his perfected solos.
While a little shy on stage, he will summon his courage to take center stage while playing his solos.
The nice guy of the band, he is the one most often actually dating a girl instead of loving and leaving like Mike and Shane.
Influences: DragonForce, Metallica, Machine Head, Megadeth, Anthrax.
Hugh Freeman (Bass): If this band ever needed one more person to get them far, it was Hugh.
With bass solos, a natural ability to save Mike his writing shortcomings and a few handy contacts, he not only fitted the band perfectly,
but also made them play better. It was what everyone was hoping for when they chose Hugh.
Influences: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Anthrax.
submitted by Shogun.
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updated 8/19/2012
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