Darkness Reigns reveals the softer side of this metal/hardcore band from Sydney: a positive approach to their onstage performances, a nice rapport with their audiences, and a few jokes in between the songs. But don’t think these guys are total softies. They’re getting ready to kick ass for the second time in the Emergenza Festival, this time for the semi-finals at The Factory Theatre. Before the show, they hang out with Emergenza and answer a few of our questions.

CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE SOUND OF DARKNESS REIGNS?
Elliot: The sound of Darkness Reigns consists of heavy and in your face guitar driven songs with funky bass lines thrown into the mix along with fuck off heavy drums and vocals.
Jordan: The Darkness Reigns sound is a combination of, both, melody and brutality, the primary focus being a break from the mould of the typical Australian hardcore band. The musicality focuses on the passions of each member of the band, who aspire to write riffs and song sections that evoke emotions deep within the listener, whilst making them want to punch babies in the process.

WHAT BANDS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR SOUND, AND IN WHAT WAY?
Rey: With our sound, all band members have different influences that effect their style of playing, but bands like, Killswitch Engage, Avenged Sevenfold, Pantera, Slipknot, Born of Osiris, Thy Art is Murder and many more.
Kyle: I personally have drawn a lot of influence from Avenged Sevenfold and Disturbed. As a vocalist, I try to capture the intensity involved in screaming while also showcasing a diverse range and a strong understanding of technique, while still remaining unique and different.

WHO WRITES THE SONGS AND WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT? WHAT'S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE?
Josh: The songs are majorly written by a mix of good ideas between the band and some songs written in their entirety by any member at any time, with all lyrics written by Kyle.
Elliott: Most of our songs have been written by both guitarists, Josh and Jordan, with one track written entirely by Kyle (“The End”). The lyrics are also written by Kyle and vary in different ways, for example "Walls of Reality" is about coming to terms with insanity and somehow finding sanity within insanity along with the feeling of being left in a world where insanity is still not as understood as it really should be. Other songs, for example "The End", are about...well the end – of the world, mostly –
but also about how history is doomed to repeat itself, in the sense that we as individuals can be so easily manipulated into doing some truly terrifying things to one another.

WHICH ONE OF YOUR SONGS DO YOU THINK SPEAKS TO YOUR FANS THE MOST AND BEST REPRESENTS YOU AS ARTISTS?
Jordan: “Walls of Reality”, which also happens to be the first song written by the band as a whole, simultaneously speaks to the audience and represents Darkness Reigns as artists. The song allows each member of the band their moment to shine, and was a joint effort, with each member writing and developing their respective parts.
Josh: Yeah I’d have to say “Walls of Reality”, or “The Chance You Never Had”. It shows the depth of lyrical content and how emotions are put into our music.

UP TO THIS POINT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE BAND'S BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? OBSTACLE?
Kyle: Our biggest accomplishment in our short career together in my opinion would have to be when we finally finished the EP. We slaved over that, and tensions were high. It took a while as we had to get used to working in a studio, but once it was done we had the finished product right there with us, and as a kicker, our musical quality had gotten so much better, leaving us with a more solid live show and something we could be proud of. Our biggest obstacle would be the very same thing. We had to adjust to working in a studio, which for us was quite a difficult transition. We went from drinking a lot and partying to getting up early and working hard, so that crossed over quite a lot, leading to many days where we were either hung over and recording, or even still under the influence. Once we punched through that though, we became more professional as a whole, so none of us can complain.
Jordan: Our biggest accomplishment would be playing at one of the last Venom nights at the Agincourt Hotel - funnily enough, only one band had the chance to play after us, as the water mains down the road burst and caused a blackout!

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST ROUND FOR YOU?
Josh: Seeing the competition and getting our name out in the open to many different music fans was great! I always love performing for a crowd, always a favourite within the band.
Kyle: Honestly, I thought we would be absolutely hated, being such an extreme genre of music in an all genres competition, but we were really well received and I absolutely loved that. We had an amazing time playing for such a great audience –nothing could take that from us. In addition, I do love it when I make an idiot of myself. When the number one band of the night was announced, I wasn’t actually listening, so when I heard “come up to the stage” I kinda went up on autopilot and stood there awkwardly for a minute before realising my mistake. I laugh about it from time to time, but secretly hope that nobody there remembers.

HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EMERGENZA FINALS?
Josh: Really exciting! We are counting down the days ‘til the big night while spreading the word about this gig and getting as many people there as possible.
Jordan: Being one step closer to the finals is an amazing feeling! Especially whilst competing with such amazing bands of different genres, and having an extremely close round finish.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR UPCOMING GIG AT THE FACTORY THEATRE?
Jordan: When playing at The Factory, we hope that, above all, we are able to expand the horizons of the audience. We understand that our genre may not seem like the most appealing, but if we can involve the audience and show them a good time, then maybe... just maybe, some minds may be changed.
Rey: Just playing a great show for a crowd and having people listen to our music, hopefully gaining a bigger fan base!

WHAT'S A LIVE DARKNESS REIGNS SHOW LIKE?
Jordan: A Darkness Reigns show isn't your typical metal or hardcore show, you won't be yelled at by the frontman for the entire set, nor is the entire set full of screaming - there are amazing clean vocals too! There'll be a few laughs and quality songs for all, quiet sections for those who fancy them and you'll get to have an insight into each member’s personality and just why you too should become a part of our family!
Elliott: In all honesty I wouldn't know where to begin, but if I had to say something I guess our shows are chaotic and hectic and funny (at times, thanks to Kyle) but mostly we just try and have as much fun as we possibly can, so yeah... fun, a Darkness Reigns gig is fun!
Rey: Well about that, it's like making out with Chewbacca, something different –scary, exciting, weird and awesome!
Kyle: I have always wanted to break away from the typical metal show. I go to many, and every time I always find myself being yelled at, everyone is angry and a smile is extremely rare. Here in Darkness Reigns we work slightly differently. Our music is serious and we are serious about it, but I am always absolutely euphoric on stage, and I want to share that happiness with every single audience member. I make people laugh and I make people smile, and those laughs and smiles are a reflection on how I feel doing what I love.

WITH OTHER BATTLE OF THE BANDS COMPETITIONS AROUND, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE ON EMERGENZA?
Rey: Seemed like a good idea at the time... but in saying that, it is quite well known and an opportunity is an opportunity, you take it or you miss out.
Josh: The professionalism and organisation were big selling points, and who doesn’t want a chance to go to freaking Germany!!! – BEER!!!!
Kyle: We actually had no interest in competing in band competitions. We didn’t see it as a valid way to get gigs. I received a message through Triple J Unearthed about Emergenza though, and for the first time a band competition actually seemed like a good idea. Generally, a band comp is very much a bunch of local bands in a PCYC hall, most can’t play and the winner gets free ice cream for the night or whatever, it just never seems worth it and the turn outs are horrible. Emergenza stood out because of how big it was, how long it had been running and how reliable the system that keeps it going is. I am glad we chose to get involved.