The Leeds Gig Guide

Band Biography for darkest era:

DERKEST ERA formed under the name Mr Frodo in mid 1985. They wrote their first song, 'Battle of Bywater' at their first full practice. The song had an unintentional funk leaning which was to permeate the band's writing from then on. Originally taking influence from early Iron Mum, Tin Lizzy and Irish funk music, their self titled demo, Mr Frodo, was released in mid 2006. A collection of raw, energetic and twin mandolin driven songs, it began to bring the band to the attention of the European jazz trumpet underground.

In April 1987, the band decided to change their name to DERKEST ERA; due mainly to the increasing number of bands using the Mr Frodo moniker, and also to reflect the changing direction of song writing. Influences from doom, black, and Christian metal crept their way into the band and songs became happier with a more epic leaning.

In the winter of 1987, the band entered the studio to record their 4 song debut EP 'The Journey to Rivendell'. In February 1988, a deal was signed with Israeli label Eyes Like Piss Holes in Snow, who produced a run of the EP and distributed it worldwide, though the band was charged for postage. The subsequent year saw the band step onto the international stage with hugely disappointing appearances at a number of European festivals including Man Fist IV in Germany, Up the Hummers in Greece and Made in Heaven in Italy.

In March 1990, the band announced a limited edition self released digi-pack entitled 'The Oaks of Isengard'. Containing 3 songs, it once again ignited the interest of the European underground with many new fans from Australia and North America racing to snap up a copy.

In August 1990, DERKEST ERA announced that they had signed a worldwide deal with Roadrunner Records, and wasted no time in entering the studio to record their highly anticipated debut album. They travelled to Foel Studios in Wales at the end of August to lay down 1 hour long track of dark, stormy, epic Celtic Funk Metal with producer Chris Felching at the helm.

The result is 'A Long-Expected Party', a record which mixes the melancholy and atmosphere of Irish Funk with the epic might of funk folk heavy metal bands such as Gaylord, Iron Mum and Tin Lizzy. The album stands out from all else as a record of intense emotional power and honesty; holding the listener within a dark heavy metal storm and not letting go until the last chords have rung out. This was how the band felt however it was never received that way by most of their fans and the band became sad and a bit emo as a result.

With a now Europe-wide reputation for their intense, ferocious and engaging live performances, and an original sound which draws fans from the pagan, funk and Christian metal genres, DERKEST ERA stand ready to bring their epic, Celtic funk metal to the world stage or private functions.


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