D.C.-based metalcore pioneers, Darkest Hour, will release their ninth full-length album, Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora, on March 10th via Southern Lord Recordings. The album’s lead track, “Knife In The Safe Room”, is available for streaming below.

Pre-orders for the album are available now with physical bundles via Southern Lord’s webstore and digital downloads, which include a download of “Knife In The Safe Room”, are available via Bandcamp, iTunes, and Apple Music.

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” (as guitar player Mike 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.

Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora tracklisting:

“Knife In The Safe Room”
“This Is The Truth”
“Timeless Numbers”
“None Of This Is The Truth”
“The Flesh & The Flowers Of Death”
“Those Who Survived”
“Another Headless Ruler Of The Used”
“Widowed”
“Enter Oblivion”
“The Last Of The Monuments”
“In The Name Of Us All”
“Beneath It Sleeps”

“Knife In The Safe Room”:

Tour dates:

February
17 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
18 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
19 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater
21 - New York, NY - Saint Vitus
23 - Chicago, IL - Reggie’s
24 - Milwaukee, WI - The Metal Grill
26 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room
28 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater

March
5 - Portland, OR - Analog Cafe
6 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
8 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
11 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
12 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red
13 - Tucson, AZ - Club XS
14 - Albuquerque, NM - The Compound 2
15 - Lubbock, TX - Backstage
16 - Austin, TX - Grizzly Hall
17 - Houston, TX - White Oak
19 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
21 - Cincinnati, OH - Northside Yacht Club

More dates will be announced soon.

Darkest Hour is:

John Henry (vocals)
Mike Schleibaum (guitar)
Mike Carrigan (guitar)
Travis Orbin (drums)
Aaron Deal (bass)

(Photo - Pete Duvall)