Last of Our Kind

Last of Our Kind
Studio album by The Darkness
Released 1 June 2015
Recorded 2014–2015 at Leeders Farm Studio, Norfolk
Genre Rock
Label Canary Dwarf Records via Kobalt
Producer Dan Hawkins
The Darkness chronology

Hot Cakes
(2012)		 Last of Our Kind
(2015)
Singles from Last of Our Kind
  1. "Open Fire"
    Released: 23 March 2015

Last of Our Kind is the upcoming fourth studio album by English hard rock band The Darkness. Produced by guitarist Dan Hawkins at his studio Leeders Farm in Norfolk, the album is due to be released on 1 June 2015 by the band's own label Canary Dwarf Records via Kobalt Label Services. It is the only album by the band to feature drummer Emily Dolan Davies, who replaced Ed Graham in 2014.

Recording and production

Last of Our Kind was written in Ireland, then produced by guitarist Dan Hawkins at his own recording studio, Leeders Farm, in Norfolk.[1]

Release and promotion

The first song revealed from the album was "Barbarian", which was released on 23 February at the same time as the album's official announcement.[1][2] A PledgeMusic page was set up to promote the album before release.[3] The release of Last of Our Kind will be preceded by a tour of Ireland in March 2015.[4] The first single from the album, "Open Fire", was released on 23 March.[5]

Music and lyrics

Frontman Justin Hawkins has described the album as "brutal", adding that "It's definitely stripped back with the exception of some mandolins. But when you're doing medieval rock, you should have a mandolin on it ... It's medieval rock, but it still sounds like The Darkness. It's medi-urban, I suppose".[1] Speaking about the style of opening track "Barbarian", Hawkins has joked that the song contains "not one but two dramatic monologues, a guitar solo that has been declared 'irresponsible', a riff that weakens lady knees" and a chorus that makes grown men shit directly into their pants".[1][2] Explaining the meaning of the lyrics more deeply, the singer has noted that they "describe the Viking invasion of East Anglia which culminated in the decapitation of Edmund the Martyr", describing the thematic basis as "classic Darkness".[1]

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Barbarian"   3:34
2. "Open Fire"   4:01
3. "Last of Our Kind"   4:09
4. "Roaring Waters"   4:38
5. "Wheels of the Machine"   3:07
6. "Mighty Wings"   5:46
7. "Mudslide"   3:25
8. "Sarah O'Sarah"   3:52
9. "Hammer & Tongs"   4:02
10. "Conquerors"   4:55
11. "Million Dollar Strong"    

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "The Darkness: 'Last Of Our Kind' Album Due In June; 'Barbarian' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Leight, Elias (23 February 2015). "Exclusive Premiere: The Darkness Return With 'Barbarian' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "The Darkness Return with Viking-Themed Song ‘Barbarian’, New Album ‘Last of Our Kind’ (Audio)". Rock Cellar Magazine. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "The Darkness Unleash Barbarian". Classic Rock (TeamRock). 23 February 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "THE DARKNESS: New Single 'Open Fire' Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. 23 March 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.