Darker Half is a melodic metal band from Sydney Australia. Darker Half’s sound is rooted in traditional metal while drawing on many other influences both metal and otherwise to create a unique, energetic and heavy sound. Twisted dual guitars and explosive solos riff across a rock solid yet inventive rhythm section, topped off by a vocalist whose range can match any of rock’s greats, make this a band who can really set themselves apart.
Darker Half features Vo Simpson (Vocals/Guitar), Simon Hamilton (Bass/Backing Vocals), Dominic Simpson (Drums/Backing Vocals) and Brad Dickson (Guitar). The band was formed by Vo Simpson while still in high school, After some line-up shuffling, the band had a stable line-up that recorded an EP in 2006 and toured regionally and interstate building a following, In 2008, Darker Half recorded their debut album Duality but unfortunately parted ways with their guitar player (Nick Alderton) just before the recording began.
Vo’s brother Dominic was brought in as guitarist and the band got back to work. After a successful year of touring on the album, which included headline shows around the country as well as the bands first international support – securing the national tour for ex-Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno. After this tour, the band unfortunately lost another member in drummer Benito Martino. Dom, whose first instrument is drums, took over drumming duties, and the band brought in Brad Dickson as guitarist.
With the new look line-up, Darker Half completed 2009 with a national tour supporting US metal legends Queensryche, regional headlining tours of NSW and an appearance at Screamfest 2009/10 at the Enmore Theatre along with some of metal’s biggest names. Darker Half hasn’t let up in 2010, continuing to tour relentlessly and establishing themselves as one of Australia’s top metal acts. After hooking up once again with Paul Di’Anno on his return tour, the band is planning a small tour to some regional centers before returning to the studio to record their eagerly awaited second album.
“Since the Independent release of their debut album Duality in 2009, DARKER HALF has shot up in the Australian music scene to become one of the country’s premier metal acts.
2009 saw the band secure national support slots for QUEENSRYCHE (USA), PAUL DIANNO (UK/EU) and gain the opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s biggest names in metal at SCREAMFEST held at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre.
Darker Half has kept busy throughout 2010 playing shows all around the country. Since hooking up with Iron Maidens Paul Dianno again for a second East coast tour, the band has been busy writing/recording music in pre-production for their next album”.
In 2011 Darker Half signed to Rockstar Records and has released their opus, ‘Desensitized’ which has finally seen the band obtain national distribution and entry into the commercial chain stores across Australia. Darker Half is embarked on full scale national tour to promote the album and have been recognised as one of the best live metal acts in the country. This reputation has seen the band been rewarded with the support slot for Alestorm and now the main support for the upcoming Children of Bodom in Australia.
Darker Half features Vo Simpson (Vocals/Guitar), Simon Hamilton (Bass/Backing Vocals), Dominic Simpson (Drums/Backing Vocals) and Brad Dickson (Guitar). The band was formed by Vo Simpson while still in high school, After some line-up shuffling, the band had a stable line-up that recorded an EP in 2006 and toured regionally and interstate building a following, In 2008, Darker Half recorded their debut album Duality but unfortunately parted ways with their guitar player (Nick Alderton) just before the recording began.
Vo’s brother Dominic was brought in as guitarist and the band got back to work. After a successful year of touring on the album, which included headline shows around the country as well as the bands first international support – securing the national tour for ex-Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno. After this tour, the band unfortunately lost another member in drummer Benito Martino. Dom, whose first instrument is drums, took over drumming duties, and the band brought in Brad Dickson as guitarist.
With the new look line-up, Darker Half completed 2009 with a national tour supporting US metal legends Queensryche, regional headlining tours of NSW and an appearance at Screamfest 2009/10 at the Enmore Theatre along with some of metal’s biggest names. Darker Half hasn’t let up in 2010, continuing to tour relentlessly and establishing themselves as one of Australia’s top metal acts. After hooking up once again with Paul Di’Anno on his return tour, the band is planning a small tour to some regional centers before returning to the studio to record their eagerly awaited second album.
“Since the Independent release of their debut album Duality in 2009, DARKER HALF has shot up in the Australian music scene to become one of the country’s premier metal acts.
2009 saw the band secure national support slots for QUEENSRYCHE (USA), PAUL DIANNO (UK/EU) and gain the opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s biggest names in metal at SCREAMFEST held at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre.
Darker Half has kept busy throughout 2010 playing shows all around the country. Since hooking up with Iron Maidens Paul Dianno again for a second East coast tour, the band has been busy writing/recording music in pre-production for their next album”.
In 2011 Darker Half signed to Rockstar Records and has released their opus, ‘Desensitized’ which has finally seen the band obtain national distribution and entry into the commercial chain stores across Australia. Darker Half is embarked on full scale national tour to promote the album and have been recognised as one of the best live metal acts in the country. This reputation has seen the band been rewarded with the support slot for Alestorm and now the main support for the upcoming Children of Bodom in Australia.
DISCOGRAPHY
MEMBERS
Steve “Vo” Simpson
Brad Dickson
Simon Hamilton
Dominic Simpson
LINKS
