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Well I’ll be damned if this is not the single best Darkest Hour cover band that I have ever heard. Well, not entirely. The “let’s throw in some singing” vocals that permeate some of their metal attack separate themselves a bit from the D.C. natives, but the fact of the matter is that not even two seconds into “My Darkness,” I can’t help but feel I’m listening to So Sedated, So Secure.

It’s not an entirely bad thing, as I still do really enjoy Darkest Hour, but the fact that the riffs and vocals coming from Destroy the Runner are almost indistinguishable from their metal counterparts is if nothing else, unsettling.

There’s going to be similarities with this type of music, I can accept and understand that wholly, but this level of closeness is certainly no accident. I could easily tag numerous intros, riffs, or vocal deliveries to their DH counterparts, but I’ll assume everyone gets the idea. Assuming you can forgive the lack of originality, and assuming you can ignore the random sung parts that disrupt the flow and rhythm of whatever song they’re in, you very well may enjoy this record, or at least scattered parts of it.

When they really let go and explore the more metal side of their music, as is done with most of “Separate,” their sound is a formidable one. Quick and crushing riffs, solid vocals, and a good overall understanding of rhythm and how to use it. The only thing that gets the band into trouble is those singing vocals that they insist on including. “There Can Be No Hesitation” is an absolutely punishing three-and-a-half minutes, even with the inclusion of some vocals right in the middle that do their best to break the rhythm and momentum that had been established to that point.

If Darkest Hour is just a little too loud or heavy for you, consider trying Diet Darkest Hour, or Destroy the Runner as they are otherwise known.



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    Posted by gregIsbutterfly on 2006-12-07 16:37:48

    This guy is crazy, they sound nothing like Darkest Hour. The only thing that sounds simalar is the vox thats it though. Darkest Hour doesn't do the whole break down thing like these guys do. I have not found on single thing that you can mistake for a Darkest Hour song this guy should be shot for this review. Darkest Hour and Destroy the Runner nothing alike besides the metalcore aspect.

    Posted by treos on 2006-12-05 17:54:28
    My Score:

    i enjoy these guys as just an alternative to listening to as i lay dying or darkest hour, although it's not a very original metalcore release i still think it is worth more than 2 stars, the songs are certainly more enjoyable than many others in the genre, and the vocals are intriguing.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 1:39 PM (EST)

    Darkest Hour and As I Lay Dying or horrible bands. This band actually isn't that bad. They make that shit music sound decent.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 1:15 PM (EST)

    Who cares if these guys are Christian or not? Does that even matter any more?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 1:14 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    No the band with the former Relient K and Narcissus members is called INHALE EXHALE www.purevolume.com/inhaleexhale

    Posted by canaandrumz on 2006-12-05 12:41:32

    Is this the band that has that one dude who used to be in Relient K?

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-12-05 12:05:25

    Yeah, these guys don't sound as much like Darkest Hour as they do As I Lay Dying. In fact, I felt a good majority of the riffs on this CD, as well as many of the song structures, were complete AILD template rip-offs.

    I never really agreed with the comparison of this to As I Lay Dying until I had this cranked up in my car and then I was finally like "Oh shit, I hear it now..."

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 10:52 AM (EST)

    yeh the thing is reviews are just peoples opinions and peoples opinions differ from others. reviews are pointless

    Posted by clownwithstress on 2006-12-05 10:03:56
    My Score:

    even though they sound like all other bands in this genre...they know the meaning of rythm and they know how to use it..im actually liking this cd!!!

    Posted by rmgebhardt on 2006-12-05 09:44:28

    Yeah, these guys don't sound as much like Darkest Hour as they do As I Lay Dying. In fact, I felt a good majority of the riffs on this CD, as well as many of the song structures, were complete AILD template rip-offs.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 9:36 AM (EST)

    no more christian metalcore.

    Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-12-05 07:56:50
    My Score:

    The soloing here is awesome and the songs are pretty solid, even if they don't have much originality.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 2:11 AM (EST)

    As I Lay Dying would serve as an excellent ripoff comparison too.
    2 stars is way too high for regurgitating other bands work.

    Posted by leezdeez on 2006-12-05 01:53:17
    My Score:

    Dude...Who wants a Diet Darkest Hour?

    Posted by Cos on 2006-12-05 01:41:48

    Verb the Noun!

    Posted by Kursk on 2006-12-05 00:32:40

    Diet "Christian" Darkest Hour I am assume since this is on solid state.....I always find Anchors' reviews to be pretty informative and this certainly helps since I keep seeing this band's name popping up for the last few months, thanks for saving me the trouble of listening to this.

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