From the polluted, corrupt and morally bankrupt Metropolis of Los Angeles comes 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 L.A. 

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”, 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, two 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 September 20th, 2024 by independent record label Arising Empire, home to metalcore upstarts Thrown, Future Palace, Landmvrks, 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 the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus…and 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”, says Johns. Making it into the Kerrang! Chart, not bad for a first song ever and w/no shows played, the band 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 the 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.”

“Slip Away” was added into rotation across Active Rock radio stations in the U.S., including Sirius/XM’s powerhouse Octane channel. Now, the next chapter of THE DARK is unveiled, with the release of the single, “Circles”. They won’t play a headline show until February 23rd, to mark the release of their debut EP at the Echo in their home city of Los Angeles and tickets are on sale now.