Darkness Rising: The Tale Of Derek Blackheart

Released independently in January of 2013, this is the band's debut full-length album.
Lyrically, Darkness Rising revolves around the storyline of a young man, Derek Blackheart, who sells his soul to "the Dark Master" in order to achieve his dream of fronting the biggest heavy metal band in the world, Blackheart. Once Blackheart reaches its height of popularity, Derek takes his life in order to escape the clutches of the Dark Master only to later discover even in death there is no escape. The moral of the story is summed up in the group's press material: "The ultimate fate of someone who decides to go down a road of darkness to achieve fame and fortune and, at the end of the day, has to ask himself... what is it worth to have reached the pinnacle of success, fame and fortune only to lose your soul in doing it?"
Now do not confuse Darkness Rising with being a Christian album or Absolon a Christian band. Pike, who wrote all the music and lyrics, offers further insight (from Christian Hard Music): "Are we a Christian band? Let me be totally honest... no, we are not. We are a group of people trying to write smart, melodic and interesting heavy metal music. I want to make people think and reflect with my music". As for the storyline: "It is a morality play in music. I wrote it in such a way that each listener would take away from it what they felt was being said. That is what a good story is supposed to do."

Lineup

Ken Pike (Malachia) - Vocals/Guitars
Ed Dumas - Lead Guitars
Will Cochran - Bass/Vocals
Dave Axel - Drums/Vocals
Dave Mikeal - Keyboards

Guests

Trudy Brumage Soto - Voice