Under Darkest Skies

THIS IS THE OFFICIAL

UNDER DARKEST SKIES

MYSPACE.COM PAGE

"There is potential here to secure a future
in the music business as leaders and not followers".

Above quote from Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride concerning Under Darkest Skies.

History/Biography
Under Darkest Skies. A heavy, ambient, and melodic meeting of many different styles of music into one entity. Experimentation and diversity within music is the ultimate goal. Being truly unique avoids the band being pigeon-holed into one specific genre of metal. UDS fits comfortably within a vast array of sound, and although listeners and many fans have placed the labels Doom Metal or Gothic Metal, that is just the beginning. Under Darkest Skies cares not for trends and is in no way influenced by any, for UDS believes that if you follow trends in an attempt to be someone else that you are nothing more than a fabrication.
Under Darkest Skies is a band that creates music from the heart based upon inner passion and emotion. Or the lack there of. Under Darkest Skies blends a mixture of psychedelic rock, doom and gothic atmospheres and a welcome sense of melody into a depressing yet fresh mix which they can almost call a genre of their own, as stated by many, including the doom-metal.com team. The lyrical content of the album is primarily abstract dark imagery forged in union with short story telling on the subjects of lost faith, fantasy and desire, personal woe and tragedy, and curiosity surrounding death. Under Darkest Skies was created by Steven, Adam, and Kevin as a collaborative project in early 2004 with the intention of being experimental and adding pure emotion and originality to their music. A trait the band feels is lacking in much of music today. After rapidly generating interest from many web radio stations UDS became a full time project and now with growing fan base that we like to call the UDS Underground, word is spreading quickly. Under Darkest Skies does not follow and cares not for the "we must do this because they are. Me too mentality" and creates music to release their own personal emotions and strife. UDS will always remain experimental and will/might try anything. The much-anticipated release of the debut full-length CD "Poisoning The Hearts of Fate" is but another step into the vast world of Under Darkest Skies.
Some Achievements...
Under Darkest Skies's song "Spirit Skyway And The Scent Of Angel's Breath" was chosen by the staff at Goth Metal World (France) www.gothmetal.net to participate in a competition for a spot on a gothic compilation album titled "Sunshine and Lolipops". Only 40 bands were chosen out of numerous bands from all over the world UDS being one of them. UDS made the final round of voting and was the only American act. Under Darkest Skies were the BAND OF THE WEEK on Fearless Radio's The Wolf's Den out of Chicago from May 1st - May 7th 2006 and once again 09/18/06 - 09/22/06 and also did a live interview for the show on 09/19/06 and once again 01/17/07. Under Darkest Skies in cooperation with The Wolf's Den donated a couple of "Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate" LP's and autographed gloss photos for a cancer benefit as well. Under Darkest Skies also have appeared on The Genocydal Empyre v2.0 (01/20/07) which airs on Krush Radio and World Rock Radio. Under Darkest Skies has released a few songs that come from either their first EP titled "Wake Me For My Eulogy" and their full length LP titled "Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate and all tracks have recieved a fair amount of airplay on certain web and broadcast radio stations including:
Metal Music Radio (Florida)
The Autopsy Report (UK) GRAMIE RULES!
The Darkest Hours (Canada)
The Wolf's Den (Chicago, The Wolfman is the shit!)
Live Hard Rock.com, Goth Metal World (France), Nocturn Metal Show (Romania), Kaos 95 in Texas, Radio Take Over (New Jersey), Direct TV on channel 914 in Argentina (South America), The Genocydal Empyre v2.0 amongst many, many others...
Under Darkest Skies has also been listed as a featured artist (Now "Pick Of The Day")many, many times on download.com's music section (doom-metal genre) sometimes daily where UDS's music has been downloaded over 30,605 (37,000 + total listens including streams) times since late October 2004 and recieved five, five out of five star reviews. A four 1/2 star overall rating out of five stars and has also been listed as a "hot download" twice. Reviewers have compared Steven's lyrics to such legends as Jim Morrison and Roger Waters and have compared UDS to an allstar line-up of bands. Such as Cradle Of Filth, My Dying Bride, Anathema, Katatonia, Pink Floyd, Type O Negative and Tool. It is possible for UDS to draw such comparisons for each UDS track is different and UDS has a wide array of sound some contain atmosphere and others are straight up in your face. Starting the second last week of August 2005 through February 12/06 Under Darkest Skies was the ..1 downloaded band in the Doom-Metal genre for a total of 24 consecutive weeks. And on 04/04/06 became the ..1 rated artist "audience pick" through 08/24/06 and once again on 09/22/06 through the present in the Doom-Metal genre as well as having the ..1 most popular track in the genre on the site "Empty Words From A Lost Apparition"(song was most popular for three consecutive days). And it has been multiple times since along with a couple other UDS songs "Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate" "Scriptures Of The Dead And Forgotten" On Through A Fractured Forest pt1", "The Burden Of Failed Serenity", and "Wake Me For My Eulogy". On 10/18/06 Under Darkest Skies became ranked number 6 in the Hard Rock/Metal overall genre on download.com. The only bands ranked ahead of Under Darkest Skies on this "Audience Pick" or rated chart were Slipknot, Iron Maiden, In Flames, Cradle Of Filth, Hatebreed, and Motorhead we would call this good company to be in.

UDS has seen their available songs post good numbers on many Mp3 sites also, with songs such as "Spirit Skyway and The Scent Of Angel's Breath" "Wake Me For My Eulogy"("Wake Me" was the .2 rated song in the Doom-Metal Genre @ Metalhordes for over one full year)"On Through A Fractured Forest", "Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate" and "Empty Words From A Lost Apparition" posting ..1's on many sites and or as in the case of "Spirit Skyway" being a "spotlight" song (on vitaminic for over one full year).
Under Darkest Skies also gets radio air-play on radio stations all over the world. Whether is be broadcast or that of web radio, larger format or straight up underground, it all counts and UDS can be found in Germany, Norway, Romania, France, England and the all over the USA...Under Darkest Skies had found (site has now been down for a while) a great fan base on Metal Music Radio in Florida/Venezuela where Under Darkest Skies songs have been quite popular. For example in 2004 the only band to recieve more listener requests was Finland's Nightwish. Under Darkest Skies has had two ..1 requested songs on this radio station with "Spirit Skyway and The Scent Of Angel's Breath" being the ..1 requested song for all of 2005 (also stations all time most requested with nearly 700 total listener requests) and "Wake Me For My Eulogy" having being the ..1 requested for almost all of July 2004. Certain songs newly released to this station have seen nearly 100 requests for them within minutes of the station adding them. Metal Music Radio has also set up a forum section and chat room for Under Darkest Skies within it's own site and it is moderated by the entire band. And on 6/30/05 UDS material recieved 500+ listener requests in one evening that span over the songs that the station currently plays from Under Darkest Skies....All Under Darkest Skies music Copyright 2006. Published by Terminal Vanity Music (A.S.C.A.P)

INFO ON THE MEMBERS OF UNDER DARKEST SKIES

Steven

Influences: Vocal influences: Aaron Stainthorpe, Jim Morrison, David Gilmour,
Keith Capputo, Dani Filth, Ihsahn, Layne Staley, James Maynard Keenan to name a few
Musical influences: The Doors, Pink Floyd, My Dying Bride
Amorphis, Opeth, Shape Of Despair, Agalloch, Slayer, Paradise Lost
Katatonia, Acid Bath, Megadeth, Metallica (1983-1988), Cradle Of Filth
Alice In Chains, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Black Sabbath, Carcass
At The Gates, just to name a few
Other than what is listed above I am influenced by world happenings
Such as politics, religion, war, and the pain that every common man
feels
Other Musical Info: Steven has shared the stage with (in previous band
1996 - 1999) Machine Head, Sevendust, Corrosion Of Conformity
Coal Chamber, Earth Crisis, Stuck Mojo, Soil, Jungle Rot,
Suffocation (Milwaukee's Metal Fest), Death (Milwaukees' Metal Fest)
Drain STH, just to name a few.
I have been playing guitar about 15 years and my favorite guitars are
an Ibanez "S" series and Jackson Flying V's. I have been into
metal music since I was five years old and first heard Black Sabbath's
"Paranoid" album. I am a huge MLB (Major League Baseball) fan
my favorite team being the St. Louis Cardinals, in which I have been
a fan of theirs since 1995
Instruments that I play in Under Darkest Skies:
Guitar(s), Keyboards, Help with arrangments, and of course all vocals
Favorites: Movie(s): The Silence Of The Lambs
Author(s):Clive Barker, H.P. Lovecraft, Thomas Harris, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris
Musician:Mikael Ã…kerfeldt of Opeth, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd
Vocalist: Aaron Stainthorpe, Mikael Ã…kerfeldt, Jim Morrison, David Gilmour, James Maynard Keenan
Band(s):My Dying Bride, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Opeth, Tool
Video Game(s):Resident Evil series, Devil May Cry, Silent Hill
Food(s): Chinese Food is the shit! I would move to China just to eat
T.V. Show(s): Dexter (Showtime), Sleeper Cell (Showtime), "24", Prison Break
Favorite Song(s): "Nutshell" & "Rotten Apple", by Alice In Chains, "Bleak" & "Reverie/Harlequin Forest"by Opeth, "Comfortabaly Numb", by Pink Floyd, "And I Walk With Them" by My Dying Bride, "Bleed Me An Ocean", by Acid Bath, "A National Acrobat" by Black Sabbath, "Waiting For The Sun" by the Doors

Adam

Influences: My Dying Bride, Slayer, The Doors,
Deftones, At The Gates, HIM, Sigur Ros, Meshuggah, Nile/Karl Sanders
Other Musical Info: In addition to working as a
freelance producer at several studios throughout Wisconsin,
Adam has also played in a wide range of bands from Industrial,
to Rock, to Black Metal. In the process sharing the stage with
such diverse bands as Deicide, Drowningman, Thursday,
Tantric, Gravity Kills, Kill Hannah, Filter and many other national and
international acts.
Instruments that I play in Under Darkest Skies:
Paul Reed Smith and Gibson electric guitars, Fender acoustic
guitars and basses, Korg Keyboards, Native Instruments and
Propellerhead software instruments
Favorites: Movie(s):Fight Club, American Beauty, Eternal Sunshine of the
Spotless Mind, Seven, The Perfect Storm, Oceans Eleven
Author(s):Clive Barker, Paul Theroux, Lonely Planet Travel Publishing
Musician:Stephen Carpenter of The Deftones
Vocalist:Ville Valo of HIM
Band(s):HIM, Placebo, Sigur Ros, The Doors

Kevin

Influences: I am going in a different direction
than the others here.
What influences me is people in general and things going on in this
world .Why we are so messed up and we all need a way to release our
sadness,frustration,anger etc… And that’s what comes out musically. I want
people to feel our music and hopefully understand what we are
trying to say and realize they are not alone in there emotions.
Musically it’s hard to say so I won’t
Other Musical Info:
Instruments that I play in Under Darkest Skies:
Guitar, Keyboards, chain smoker and lyric reader
Favorites: Movie(s):Full Metal Jacket,Hellraiser,Saw
Author(s):none I only look at pictures
Musician:Dimebag,Randy Rhodes
Vocalist:Aaron Stainthorpe, Burton C. Bell, Peter Steele
Band(s):Opeth,Soilwork,old Pantera ,Fear Factory,In Flames, Ill Nino,
Samael, Type o Negative

REVIEW OF "POISONING THE HEARTS OF FATE"
From Jim Brandon @ MetalReview.com
This is one of those times when I come across an unsigned band and it makes my head spin to think about how much trendy crap gets good deals while bands such as this are being passed over. To my knowledge, Under Darkest Skies remains unsigned, and even though they don’t set new standards for melancholic, burly multifaceted music, the potential to do so shines brightly on Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate, a massive display in hybrid metal. One reason why they might be having a hard time finding a deal is simply because they’re nearly impossible to market towards a specific target audience, mixing so many different styles into one strangely cohesive package that PR people don’t know what to do with it.
The mix of multiple styles is a lot less complicated from an artistic standpoint than from a marketing one. It’s a thick layering of When The Deadbolt Breaks-styled gloom, with hints of experimental Neurosis, huge Thee Plague Of Gentlemen / Giant Squid riffing, and very early Today Is The Day weirdness. You can’t really call this doom, death, or black metal in pure form since there are so many elements of all three styles blended into one. I could see this trio being great gigging partners with Rwake or Conifer. Vocalist Steven is a little iffy, and has a flat, direct clean singing method that is more about stylistic expression rather than technical poise, and enhances the bare bones feel of their music, while his over-the-top roar is as effective as anything offered by the other bands mentioned. There’s a distinct separation between grace and power, at times implementing some truly beautiful programming (the conclusion of “Scriptures Of The Dead And Forgotten”).
Speaking of raw things, for an independently funded offering, the sound of this recording is as good as many bands with label support behind them. Since all of the tracks are quite long, the sound stays well-balanced through the different levels of intensity the band goes through during the course of each track. There are no songs that meander in a droning pace, and likewise, none of them are onslaughts from start to finish, although the title track is quite a ferocious piece of work. The clean, supple music that opens “Parasites From The Kingdom of Guilt” aligns with Steven’s coarse screams before gliding effortlessly into gothic segues that flow with an abrasive sort of dignity, sounding so emotionally ravaging and honest that it’s difficult not to be totally enraptured by it all. There’s an overall rawness that even a more professional production wouldn’t hinder, a rawness that is encapsulated in the unencumbered songcraft, and fittingly unpolished execution.
Even though there are tons of bands who are making melting pots out of their chosen forms of expression, very few of them are doing it in a compelling way that makes me want to collect their music for years to come, and Under Darkest Skies should be given the opportunity to spread their potent blend of crushingly heavy, intelligent, and at times graceful metal to a wider audience. Why Relapse or Goodfellow hasn’t snatched these guys up is completely beyond me. With a little trimming of some fat around the edges, I see no reason why these guys couldn’t be new standard-setters within a very short period of time. Highly impressive.
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UDS REVIEWS TAKEN FROM D-LOAD.COM
5 stars (out of 5)
why are they still unsigned?
19-Oct-2006 04:40:13 AM
Reviewer: meathead11
to me this band brings several different genres into one mix . like i said why are these guys not signed yet???
you guys are awesome
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5 stars (out of 5)
Emotive and immersive
24-Apr-2006 02:19:42 PM
Reviewer: industrial_angel
I found this band on a search for new doom metal and I cannot fully describe in words how incredibly impressed I am with them. In a word they are fantastic. The music that they create is completely immersive, taking the listener into a dark and bleak world of their own creation. It is beautiful and at the same time harsh on the senses. It is a fusion of emotive sounds and quite evil sounding vocals. The vocals themselves are quite unique in that I haven't heard much similar and are very powerful. And man can Steven scream. The use of synth/keyboard is really well done as well, the effects used are perfectly placed in the songs. Absolutely love this band. I would hope to see them getting a signing soon, they deserve it.
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*OLDER REVIEWS*
5 stars (out of 5)
Good Stoner metal
06-May-2005 11:40:44 PM
Reviewer: bury_me_in_smoke
If you enjoy smokin a few and then losing yourself into musical soundscapes this is for you. This band has almost something for anyone into metal/doom or gothic music. Musically it seems like they would go any where, try anything, and vocaly the range is wide open as well. This is a breath of fresh air since this band is from the United States. Most good experimental music comes from Europe. Finally we have one here.
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5 stars (out of 5)
Doom/Psychedelic Hybrid
31-Dec-2004 10:37:15 PM
Reviewer: searme1993
Under Darkest Skies isn't purely a doom-metal band. It seems they are a hybrid that mixes alot of psychedelics. An example of this would have to be the all around atmosphere and the tripped out almost Morrison/Waters like lyrics which are dark and filled with fantasy. All songs and their thick atmosphere are moving using real soft touches then out of no where hit you with a strange heaviness, not fast and not entirely slow but carry a melody. There are a couple of short comings, the drums in "Wake Me For My Eulogy" (at the end pinnacle of the song) are a bit thin sounding same with the heavy guitar in that song. I still like it although. Otherwise I love all aspects os this band. Vocals (cleans and harsh), feel (overall atmosphere), etc...I am giving a rating of "5" for the fact is I have not heard anything like this before. I would recomend this to fans of Katatonia and Tool.
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5 stars (out of 5)
Under Darkest Skies is something different for sure
03-Dec-2004 08:53:43 PM
Reviewer: herghost
I have listened to these tracks multiple times and cannot get bored of them. The atmosphere that is projected is spectacular, going from mellow Pink Floydish stoner rock and transpiring into a heavy although melodic mid-paced attack. The instrumental track "The Architecture of Winter" is unlike any instrumental I have heard. The song being based around a pure melodic mid paced guitar solo with some ambient sounds in the backround including a face full of whispers in between breaks in the solo, very atmospheric. The vocals in the other two tracks "Eulogy" and "Skyway" range from whisper, spoken word, dark yet emotional sounding singing to hellish screams, there is very good range shown here. I also love "Skyway's" almost no use of chord structures, this track is pure melodic. "Eulogy" sounds like it has a Pink Floyd meets Type O Negative meets a slower form of cradle of Filth type influence and feel. It is kind of a powerful song although all not that heavy. These songs are worth checking out just for the overall mood, atmosphere and feel which will apease those into dark music such as later day My Dying Bride.
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Review Written by Tonya Facchine
I received Poisoning The Hearts of Fate yesterday in the mail and I must say-no one compares to your style of music.The lyrics are deep,dark,enchanting and the song titles are extremely wonderful.The music itself is also very brilliant,full of darkness and very haunting.Anyone who listens to thic cd will know how much effort,time,energy,and soul you all have put into it.This is how doom metal should be-a prime and perfect example!The voices,the drum and guitars-it has such a professional sound throughout the whole album.It is worth more than the 10 dollars-there is so much talent packed into this cd and i love every song!I encourage everyone to buy Poisioning The Hearts of Fate now!I hope i see you signed with a big record label soon-im hooked for life and this cd left me wanting more music from you!Best of luck guys-you all deserve it! Rouzalita { Tonya Facchine}
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Review written by Jalapenopope aka John Ritonda
'Under Darkest Skies' is an ambient, melodic, frightening goth, heavy three piece band. Most importantly, they are metal. They tell a story and we all know that the best stories can only be told through metal.The tale that is weaved is about being truly different, with or without reaction, in this world. Spirit Skyway And The Scent Of Angels Breath which is an incredible song title, will move the listener. It is slow enough, has black vocals, and the perfect amount of atmosphere to make sure you begin to see the art. The tracks are a rather depressing mix with topics of Hopelessness, tragedies, and of course death. It is the perfect backdrop to the sorrows we all face. Lyrics like A constant broken heart, It is more then just a wicked guilt chased by screams of pain and misery are oddly enough quite pleasing. If you are into tortured ravishing suffering spin this cd. Funny how that is a compliment in Metal. Parasites From The Kingdom Of Guilt is of Opeth length and depth, but much harder. The group will only grow from what started as experimenting and has become a true defining sound that is clearly their own.
It will be interesting to see how the lyrics develop as their young lives develop. I say this because of emotional relapses such as Showers of Shame despite remaining spiritually in mode, it definitely rises the tempo and shows possible direction changes if wanted for the group. I found a nice balance in this record and definitely recommend it to all.
3.5 of 5 Jalapenopope aka John Ritonda
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Review written by Peter Arnberg
Power chords are not my cup o' tea, but I will say that these guys have more than that going for them. There's some quality mixing and editing on this, taking the vocals to another level of demonic altogether. Hearing a human scream is one thing, but this is ghostlier. And UDS has the versatility to stop the screaming and get mellow-melodic for a second. Its refreshing. Posted by: Peter Arnberg
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Review written by Jacob Baehring
Fantastic, great, inspiring. this is music that actually makes you feel the way the band wants you to feel. they are all musical geniuses and they just came out with there first c.d. and it is amazing. Support the UDS underground
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Review written by Chris Purdie
I can’t believe you aren’t signed to a record label yet! Poisoning the Hearts of Fate is an album in which I have been longing to hear. Since being introduced to the music of Under Darkest Skies by a good friend, I haven’t been able to stop listening to it and had to get it myself. The delivery time was incredible. I love the slow melodies and how it all blends with the heavier, darker tone that creates a seamless, beautiful and unique sound. I love the individuality this band posses and isn’t trying to sound like anyone else but themselves. This is hard to find in mainstream music. The fact that there isn’t a corporate influence adds to the album’s listen ability. Under Darkest Skies sound like they have been able to produce the music and sound they want to create as one without the “suits” telling them to change or how to sound. I look forward to all Under Darkest Skies have to offer. I wish them all the luck and I will be there to help support them in every way I can. They are living my dream! As a side note, you guys are truly talented musicians and helped to inspire me to practice harder on my bass. It is my dream that I wish to accomplish.
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"Under Darkest Skies what I feel is, one of the better
independent metal bands I've heard in quite a while."
(above)Quote from The Wolfman, from The Wolf's Den on Fearless Radio
"Great music! unsigned... are you joking?!"
(above)Quote from Italy's Doom-Metal band HOW LIKE A WINTER concerning Under Darkest Skies music.
""Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate" is the metal "Dark Side Of The Moon"
(above)Quote from The Wolfman, from The Wolf's Den on Fearless Radio
""While some bands show strong musicianship and songwriting skills OR are able to affect and convey strong emotion in the listener, Under Darkest Skies is of the rare few bands able to do both with seemingly little effort"
(above)Quote from Damien "Lord Genocyde" Cross of The Genocydal Empyre v 2.0 on Krush Radio & World Rock Radio
""HOLY SHIT! That is some bad-ass sickness you guy's are producing! Seriously, it has this ambient old "Paradise Lost" feel, combined with Katatonia..and I don't know, so many things... but totally different. I absolutely chilled on that shit!"
(above) Quote from Under Darkest Skies fan Gina, Richmond, Virginia
""Under Darkest Skies will be the definitive doom band of my generation as My Dying Bride was to the previous. Dark, brooding and very emotional, every element of darkness available oozes from this band"
(above) Quote from Under Darkest Skies fan Laci (17), Germany

UNDER DARKEST SKIES - "Poisoning The Hearts Of Fate" OUT NOW
"Under Darkest Skies approach writing from every possible angle creating music on so many layers it’s almost impossible to hear it all on first listen".
Above quote rom Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride concerning Under Darkest Skies music

Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride.
Aaron & MDB have had such an impact on Doom-Metal and have been a
huge influence on Under Darkest Skies and so many other bands all around
the world. We would like to send our utmost thanks and gratitude to him and
all of My Dying Bride for their overall brilliance. And to Aaron for being such a great person and friend, this pic above is a proud moment in Under Darkest Skies history and something we'll never forget. Below is a link to My Dying Bride's main webpage. Go buy My Dying Bride's new album "A Line Of Deathless Kings" out on Peaceville Records