First time at Basin
Darkness are a German thrash metal legend formed in 1984 in Essen, right in the heart of the German “Ruhrpott” thrash scene that also produced bands like Sodom and Kreator. Their music is defined by an uncompromising, aggressive style with fast riffs, a raw sound, and relentless forward momentum. Their early work fits firmly into the wave of German underground thrash metal of the time, which tended to be more extreme and chaotic than its American counterpart.
Their breakthrough came with the 1987 debut album Death Squad, considered by fans to be one of the cult classics of 1980s German thrash metal. The follow-up album Defenders of Justice (1988) solidified their reputation as a band capable of combining speed with melodic elements and politically or socially charged lyrics. Although Darkness disbanded in the 1990s, their early albums achieved classic status and continued to inspire generations of thrash musicians.
The band’s 2013 reunion marked a fresh beginning and a return to both the stage and the studio. Since then, Darkness have released several new recordings that prove they have lost none of their original aggression or signature old-school sound. Thanks to their cult status, powerful live energy, and loyalty to their thrash metal roots, Darkness remain one of the respected names on the German metal scene to this day.