The Dark

“SEPARATE THE SKIN FROM BONE / IN DISMAY WE’LL CALL THIS HOME,” Craig Johns Jr, The Dark, “Chemicals.”

“Chemicals” 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 the Los Angeles-based band, The Dark, was released on September 20th by the independent record label Arising Empire, home to metalcore upstarts Thrown and a previous home to the likes of While She Sleeps.

Influenced by ‘90s bands like Nine Inch Nails, White Zombie, Fudge Tunnel and Filter, “Chemicals” felt like a natural choice for our first single. 

Singer Craig Johns Jr says, “It’s something I’m less than proud of, but this story of two lovers focusing on each other while the world falls apart… This comes from a very real place I’ve found myself in in the past. There have been times where I’ve wrapped myself in things like lust and drugs, rather than facing the harsh reality of living in poverty in a major city like Los Angeles. Sometimes it’s easier to obsess over what’s in front of you, an easy escape, whether it’s a partner or a substance, and end up willfully blind to the bigger picture. This band is our love letter to the dark side of our human nature.”

The Dark is:
Craig Johns Jr. – vocals
Alan Ashby – guitar
Derek Vautrinot – drums
Nick Goins – bass