The Darkness

The Profile

The Darkness are an English hard rock band known for flamboyant classic-rock revivalism, Justin Hawkins’ high-register vocals, and a sound often compared (in reviews) to AC/DC and Queen. Their debut “Permission to Land” (2003) broke through in the UK, followed by “One Way Ticket to Hell... And Back” with production by Roy Thomas Baker; later post-reunion albums discussed here include “Pinewood Smile” and “Easter Is Cancelled.”

Publicly verifiable: The Darkness are an English rock band; core members include Justin Hawkins and Dan Hawkins; debut album “Permission to Land” released in 2003; second album “One Way Ticket to Hell... And Back” released in 2005 and produced by Roy Thomas Baker; band formed in 2000; split in 2006 and reformed in 2011.

Across these reviews, The Darkness are framed as flamboyant British hard rock revivalists: big riffs, big choruses, bigger falsettos, and zero shame. “Permission to Land” is praised as a hit-packed blast by some and dismissed as derivative/banal by others. “One Way Ticket to Hell... And Back” splits opinions: some love the Roy Thomas Baker sheen and strings, others call it flat and softened. Later records like “Pinewood Smile” and “Easter Is Cancelled” are treated as solid post-reunion entries with moments that nod back to early highs. Live, they’re repeatedly described as an extremely tight, high-energy rock show.