DARKEST HOUR Announces European Headlining Tour

Washington, D.C.-based metallers DARKEST HOUR will embark on a European headlining tour in January/February 2011. this winter and they couldn't be more excited to get back across the pond. Coming along for the ride will be PROTEST THE HERO, BORN OF OSIRIS and PURIFIED IN BLOOD.

Commented DARKEST HOUR guitarist and founding member Mike Schleibaum: "Put on your winter jacket and get ready for endless nights of good times, because were headed back to Europe. We're bringing the legacy tour overseas — playing songs from our entire catalog.

"We fell in love with Europe in 2000 and have enjoyed touring there for an entire decade. Playing from squats to arenas and everywhere in between, we've made some of our closest friends and have had some of the best times or our lives. Experiencing all forms of cultures and enjoying the beautiful diversity of the European continent has always been a joy for the entire band.

"Since our European bros are true purists, I am sure they will enjoy the set we have cooked up for them."

The dates are as follows:

Jan. 26 - Stuttgart, Germany - Röhre
Jan. 27 - Nijmegen, Holland - Doornroosje
Jan. 28 - Manchester, UK - Club Academy
Jan. 29 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
Jan. 30 - London, UK - Garage
Jan. 31 - Antwerpen, Belgium - Trix
Feb. 01 - Berlin, Germany - Magnet
Feb. 02 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos Saal
Feb. 03 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
Feb. 04 - Leipzig, Germany - Conne Island
Feb. 05 - München, Germany - Feierwerk
Feb. 06 - Budapest, Hungary - Dürer Kert
Feb. 07 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
Feb. 08 - Bologna, Italy - Sottotetto Club
Feb. 09 - Rome, Italy - Init Club
Feb. 10 - Aarau, Switzerland - Kiff
Feb. 11 - Trier, Germany - Exhaus
Feb. 12 - Köln, Germany - Essigfabrik

DARKEST HOUR recently entered a North Carolina studio with producer (and SOILWORK guitarist) Peter Wichers to begin recording its new album for an early 2011 release via eOne Music.

This time around, the DARKEST HOUR songs were composed a bit differently than was the case in the past. Schleibaum explains, "We have been working on these tunes ever since we left the studio last April.

"'The Eternal Return' was written during a very dark, bleak time for the band and I think that record matches that in both tone and character. Our vision was for it to be an in-your-face, no-frills aggressive assault. The new material shares in that aggression and pushes DARKEST HOUR beyond the unknown."

Wichers, who has previously helmed such acclaimed albums as ALL THAT REMAINS' "The Fall of Ideals" and SOILWORK's latest effort, "The Panic Broadcast", states, "I am very exited to work alongside the DARKEST HOURS guys, and I know from hearing some of their new material that it will be a killer [record]."