Darkness Divided

{{Infobox musical artist | name = Darkness Divided | image = Darkness Divided Live.jpg | caption = From left to right: Christopher, Gerard, Joseph, Sebastian and Isaiah | origin = San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | label = Victory Records | current_member_of = | genre = Metalcore, Christian metal, Black metal | years_active = 2010–2018, 2022-present | current_members = Gerard Mora Sebastian Elizondo Joseph Mora Christopher Mora Hayden Allen | past_members = Israel Hernandez Isaiah Alfonso }}

'''Darkness Divided''' is an American Christian metalcore band from San Antonio, Texas, formed in 2010 by brothers Gerard, Christopher, and Joseph Mora. The band had released two studio albums through Victory Records as well as an independent EP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://concertcrap.com/2015/01/07/darkness-divided-vocalist-talks-about-album-2015-plans-and-siblings/ |title=Darkness Divided vocalist talks about album, 2015 plans and siblings |publisher=Concert Crap |access-date=June 15, 2016 |archive-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810215914/https://concertcrap.com/2015/01/07/darkness-divided-vocalist-talks-about-album-2015-plans-and-siblings/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History== ===Early years and formation (2010–2012)=== As teenagers, the Mora brothers performed worship music together at their local church, mostly performing covers of contemporary worship songs. In 2010, the brothers changed genres and started Darkness Divided with original drummer Colby Moreno and second guitar/backup vocalist Joey Jiménez after{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}} becoming fans of metal music.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/entertainment_columnists/lorne_chan/article/Local-band-Darkness-Divided-finds-Christian-metal-5686743.php|title=Local band Darkness Divided finds Christian metal note|first=Lorne|last=Chan|date=August 12, 2014|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|access-date=October 12, 2020}}</ref> The new band was named Darkness Divided after the Biblical verse Genesis 1:4, and is described by the band as a reference to finding hope in tough times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.breathecast.com/articles/darkness-divideds-fate-written-blood-band-uses-metalcore-convey-message-20280/|title=Darkness Divided's Fate has Been 'Written In Blood'; Band Uses Metalcore to Convey Message of Hope in Salvation [INTERVIEW]|date=September 30, 2014|website=Breathecast.com|access-date=October 12, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Darkness Divided With Jared">{{cite web|url=http://radiou.com/interviews/darkness-divided-with-jared|title=Darkness Divided With Jared|publisher=RadioU.com|access-date=May 28, 2014}}</ref>

=== ''Chronicles'' and ''Written in Blood'' (2012–2015)=== In 2012, Darkness Divided released a 5 track EP entitled ''Chronicles'', which was produced by Daniel Castleman.<ref name="Darkness Divided With Jared"/>

Since releasing ''Chronicles'', the band released two singles with accompanying music videos.{{When|date=June 2016}} Redeemer was produced with Daniel Castleman, while "Voyager" was produced elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mauce.nl/site/darkness-divided-signs-with-victory-records-full-lenght-album-to-be-released-this-summer/|title=Darkness Divided Signs with Victory Records, Full Length Album to be Released this Summer|date=January 31, 2014 |publisher=The Metal Resource|access-date=July 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mauce.nl/site/darkness-divided-chronicles-ep/|title=Darkness Divided Chronicles EP|date=May 22, 2013 |publisher=The Metal Resource|access-date=July 24, 2014}}</ref>

Prior to its release, Teen View Music stated that ''Written in Blood'' was<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.teenviewmusic.com/10/post/2014/08/written-in-blood-by-darkness-divided-album-preview.html|title=Written In Blood by Darkness Divided- Album Preview|website=Teenviewmusic.com|access-date=October 12, 2020}}</ref> <blockquote> Intelligently put together and expertly recorded, ''Written in Blood'' has the fuel and fire for a metalcore fan. It is obvious to me just by listening to the album that their live shows are electric with energy and absolute loads of fun. For fans of Christian metal, this is a must-have.</blockquote> Jesus Freak Hideout says "Heavy metal newcomers, Darkness Divided, will release their Victory Records debut album, ''Written In Blood'', on August 19th. ''Written In Blood'' is an 11-track assault of deeply penetrating, sometimes chaotic, sometimes melodic, but always brutalizing metal core riffage coupled with crushing rhythmic breakdowns and Gerard Mora's thunderously demanding vocals. Driven by faith and fueled by conviction, Darkness Divided are on a mission to prove that through suffering comes salvation." They released a new single called "A Well Run Dry" off their upcoming album to iTunes and released an animated stream of the song to YouTube on July 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2014/07/15.Darkness%20Divided%20Announce%20Written%20In%20Blood%20and%20Release%20Digital%20Single.asp |title= Darkness Divided Announce 'Written in Blood' and Release Digital Single 7/15 |publisher= Jesus Freak Hideout |date= July 15, 2014 |access-date= July 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KtsTgvvo8g |title= Darkness Divided – A Well Run Dry (Animated Stream) |publisher=YouTube |date= July 15, 2014 |access-date= July 24, 2014}}</ref> They released their second single "The Hands That Bled" along with a music video on August 11.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncoToDreXro |title= Darkness Divided |publisher= Youtube |date= August 11, 2014 |access-date= August 22, 2014}}</ref>

=== Departure of Chris Mora, Induction of Hayden Allen, self titled album, ''The End of It All'' EP, breakup and reunion (2015–present) === On November 11, 2015, guitarist Chris Mora put out an announcement on the band's Facebook page. {{quote|Hey guys this is Chris. I'd like to introduce you to the new Darkness Divided lineup. The band has been a huge part of my life since I was 14 years old but now I'm sharing with you that I decided to step down earlier this year. I've had the time of my life writing and producing the band's 2nd record over the past few months. It's the fruit of a lot of hard work, lessons learned, and growth from these four guys in this picture. You'll notice that with this change, they've brought Hayden Allen into the scheme of things. He's an insanely talented drummer and a great dude you will be stoked to eat Denny's with out there on tour. DD is stronger than ever before and I'm happy to have been a part of the process. I love these boys with my whole heart and I owe it to them for them keeping me together over the past few years. I'd like to thank all of the great people I met while in the band who dug what we were doing enough to support us in the countless ways that you did. The new record is going to blow your mind. – Chris}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/darknessdivided/photos/a.153567991321910.27029.153194671359242/1103811369630896/?type=3&theater|title=Darkness Divided announcement|publisher=Facebook|first=Chris|last=Mora|date=November 11, 2015|access-date=September 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="HM">{{cite web|url=http://hmmagazine.com/blog/hm-exclusives/hm-premiere-darkness-divided-flashes-skill-guitar-playthrough-back-breaker/|title=HM PREMIERE: Darkness Divided flashes their skill on playthrough for "Back Breaker"|publisher=HM Magazine|first=David|last=Stagg|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=September 16, 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, the band released their sophomore self titled on Victory Records.<ref name="HM"/> In 2017, the band embarked on many tours. The band would go on tour with Convictions in October 2017, replacing Earth Groans, who took the first half of the date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/darknessdivided/photos/a.617791941566177.1073741827.153194671359242/1809075435771149/?type=3|title=Will we see you on our run with...|publisher=Facebook|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref>

In late 2017, the band announced they would disband in 2018 after releasing one final EP and doing one final tour from March to May,<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Conde|url=https://www.sacurrent.com/sa-sound/archives/2017/12/12/san-antonio-metalcore-dudes-darkness-divided-calls-it-quits-almost|title=San Antonio Metalcore Dudes Darkness Divided Call it Quits – Almost|publisher=San Antonio Current|access-date=February 23, 2018|date=December 17, 2017|archive-date=February 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224112937/https://www.sacurrent.com/sa-sound/archives/2017/12/12/san-antonio-metalcore-dudes-darkness-divided-calls-it-quits-almost|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the final show taking place at the Alamo City Music Hall in San Antonio, Texas, on May 12.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Conde|url=https://www.sacurrent.com/sa-sound/archives/2018/05/09/san-antonios-darkness-divided-playing-one-last-show-before-retiring?media=AMP%20HTML|title=San Antonio's Darkness Divided Playing One Last Show Before Retiring|publisher=San Antonio Current|access-date=May 12, 2018|archive-date=May 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112748/https://www.sacurrent.com/sa-sound/archives/2018/05/09/san-antonios-darkness-divided-playing-one-last-show-before-retiring?media=AMP%20HTML|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band released their final EP, ''The End of It All'', digitally on March 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2018/02/23/news/darkness-divided-premiere-world-burn-farewell-ep/|title=Darkness Divided Premiere "World You Burn" From Farewell EP|publisher=ThePRP|access-date=February 23, 2018|date=February 23, 2018}}</ref>

In 2022, Darkness Divided reunited and performed at several shows throughout Texas. In 2024, the band released a new single, "King Of The Undertow".

== Music and lyrics == Gerard Mora gave an interview in ''Outburn'', where he was asked "What lyrical themes do you explore?", while his response was the following:<ref name="Outburn">{{cite journal|page=24|first=Joe|last=Daly|title=Featured Interview: Darkness Divided|url=http://www.outburn.com/OUTBURN_76_Motionless_in_White_p/outburn76.htm|journal=Outburn|issue=76|issn=1542-1309|access-date=May 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403212347/http://www.outburn.com/OUTBURN_76_Motionless_in_White_p/outburn76.htm|archive-date=April 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{Quote|text=We're a Christian band and that's apparent in everything we do, so our lyrics are very Christian based, but they're not meant to come off as judgey or condemny. We view our band as a ministry, but we do it as an open invitation to talk. We don't go and sit in our van while the other bands are playing. We go out to meet people and to make sure that people feel the love that we feel through Christ. So, a lot of that comes across in our lyrics. For ''Written in Blood'', the lyrics all deal with the theme that in life there's struggle, and as people we all go through our trials, but the idea is that we're all suffering together. It's reassuring to know that other people are going through the same problems, whether it's people across the world or our neighbors. |author=Gerard Mora |source=''Outburn''<ref name="Outburn"/> }} He was also asked during the same interview, "Could you ever see yourselves touring with a secular band?", and his answer was the following:

{{Quote|text=Absolutely. Our statement is bold, but we're not here to judge anyone. We want to meet people and talk to people. This might be the only glimpses of love or any kind of hope that they might get that week, so it's an open invitation. It's not like we want you to be whatever we are. We played with Suffokate a few weeks ago, and they were really cool dudes and we had a great show together. It's not like we want to circle around the Christian market, preaching to the choir. That's not what we're about. |author=Gerard Mora |source=''Outburn''<ref name="Outburn"/> }}

==Members== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ; Lineup * Gerard Mora – lead vocals (2010–present) * Joseph Mora – bass guitar (2010–present) * Christopher James Mora – lead guitar (2010–present)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/node/4332|title=Undivided attention: Music is Elizondo's priority|publisher=Uvalde Leader News|first=Cheyenne|last=Miller|access-date=September 12, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * Sebastian Elizondo – vocals (2014–present), lead guitar (2015–present), rhythm guitar (2014–present) * Hayden Allen – drums (2015–present){{col-end}}

; Former members * Israel Hernandez – drums (2010–2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lambgoat.com/news/23190/Darkness-Divided-loses-drummer-adds-guitarist|title=Darkness Divided loses drummer, adds guitarist|publisher=Lambgoat|date=August 30, 2014|access-date=September 12, 2016}}</ref> * Isaiah Alfonso – drums (2014–2015)

;Session members * Juan Hinojosa – drums (2018)

'''Timeline''' {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:105 bottom:80 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/2010 till:05/12/2018 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2010 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2010

Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:LGuitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar id:RGuitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:Orange legend:Drums id:Lines value:black legend:Studio_album id:EP value:gray(0.55) legend:Other_release id:bars value:gray(0.95)

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 BackgroundColors=bars:bars ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:2010

LineData = at:01/01/2012 color:EP layer:back at:08/19/2014 color:black layer:back at:04/22/2016 color:black layer:back at:03/09/2018 color:EP layer:back

BarData = bar:Gerard text:"Gerard Mora" bar:Chris text:"Christopher Mora" bar:Sebastian text:"Sebastian Elizondo" bar:Joseph text:"Joseph Mora" bar:Israel text:"Israel Hernandez" bar:Isaiah text:"Isaiah Alfonso" bar:Hayden text:"Hayden Allen"

PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Gerard from:start till:end color:Vocals bar:Chris from:start till:11/11/2015 color:LGuitar bar:Chris from:start till:01/01/2014 color:RGuitar width:3 bar:Sebastian from:01/01/2014 till:11/11/2015 color:RGuitar bar:Sebastian from:11/11/2015 till:end color:LGuitar bar:Sebastian from:11/11/2015 till:end color:RGuitar width:7 bar:Sebastian from:01/01/2014 till:end color:Vocals width:3 bar:Joseph from:start till:end color:Bass bar:Israel from:start till:01/01/2014 color:Drums bar:Isaiah from:01/01/2014 till:11/11/2015 color:Drums bar:Hayden from:11/11/2015 till:end color:Drums }}

==Discography== {{Infobox artist discography | Artist = Darkness Divided | Image = | Image size = | Caption = | Studio = 2 | Live = | EP = 1 | Singles = 6 | Music videos = 3 }}

===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! style="width:200px;" rowspan="2"| Title ! rowspan="2"| Label ! colspan="8"| Chart peaks |- ! style="width:50px;"| US Hard Rock ! style="width:50px;"| Heatseekers |- | 2014 | ''Written in Blood'' | rowspan="2"| Victory Records | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — |- | 2016 | ''Darkness Divided'' | style="text-align:center;"| 25<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hard-rock-albums/2016-05-14|title=Hard Rock Music: May 14, 2016|author=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 20<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/heatseekers-albums/2016-05-14|title=Heatseekers Albums: May 14, 2016|author=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=November 22, 2016}}</ref> |}

===EPs=== * ''Chronicles'' (2012) * ''The End of It All'' (2018)

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Song !! Album |- | 2010 || "Divide and Conquer" || None |- | 2012 || "Truth" || Chronicles |- | 2013 || "Redeemer" || None |- | 2013 || "Voyager" || None |- | 2013 || "Remnants" || Written in Blood |- | 2014 || "A Well Run Dry" || Written in Blood |- | 2014 || "The Hands That Bled" || Written in Blood |- | 2024 || "King Of The Undertow"|| Non-album single |}

===Music videos=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Album !! Song !! Director !! Type !! Link |- | 2013 || ''Chronicles'' || [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUPLWcwjnTg "Redeemer"] || Lee Eubanks || Narrative ||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUPLWcwjnTg |title=Darkness Divided – "Redeemer" (Official Music Video!) |publisher=YouTube |date=January 13, 2013 |access-date=July 17, 2014}}</ref> |- | 2013 || None || [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJyhwdUBnvY "Voyager"] || Nelson Flores and Mathis Arnell || Narrative ||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJyhwdUBnvY |title= Darkness Divided – "Voyager" (Official Music Video) A Blank TV Feature! |publisher=YouTube |date= May 5, 2013 |access-date= July 24, 2014}}</ref> |- | 2013 || Written in Blood || [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X239EDxM93w "Remnants"] || Unknown || Narrative ||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X239EDxM93w |title= Darkness Divided – Remnants -OFFICIAL VIDEO – HM EXCLUSIVE |publisher=YouTube |date= December 1, 2013 |access-date= July 24, 2014}}</ref> |- | 2014 || Written in Blood || [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncoToDreXro "The Hands That Bled"] || Eric Richter || Narrative ||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncoToDreXro |title= Darkness Divided – The Hands That Bled |publisher= Youtube |date= August 11, 2014 |access-date= August 22, 2014}}</ref> |- | 2014 || Written in Blood || [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds5n7XNYE4o "Eternal Thirst"] || Brian Raida || Narrative ||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds5n7XNYE4o |title= Darkness Divided – Eternal Thirst |publisher= Youtube |date= December 29, 2014 |access-date= December 29, 2014}}</ref> |- | 2016 || Darkness Divided || [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu7M1gPzh08 "Misery"] || Dustin Smith || Narrative ||<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://hmmagazine.com/blog/the-jump/darkness-divided-drops-new-single-misery-from-upcoming-self-titled-album/ |title=Darkness Divided drops new single and music video for 'Misery' from upcoming self-titled album |publisher=HM Magazine |first=David |last=Stagg |date=February 26, 2016 |access-date=January 11, 2016 }}</ref> |- | 2016 || Darkness Divided || [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notsosrwJHs "Back Breaker"] || Dustin Smith || Narrative ||<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://hmmagazine.com/blog/hmtv/darkness-divided-drops-new-music-video-back-breaker/ |title=Darkness Divided drops new music video for 'Back Breaker' |publisher=HM Magazine |first=David |last=Stagg |date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=January 11, 2017 }}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.victoryrecords.com/darknessdivided Official Victory Records profile page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713232637/http://www.victoryrecords.com/darknessdivided |date=July 13, 2014 }} *[http://www.facebook.com/darknessdivided Official Facebook profile] *{{cite web|url=http://www.christcore.net/podcast/ep-23-conversations-interview-w-darkness-divided/#more-774193|title=Ep. 23: Conversations: Interview w/ Darkness Divided|publisher=ChristCore|first=Bryce|last=Cooley|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=October 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012062803/http://www.christcore.net/podcast/ep-23-conversations-interview-w-darkness-divided/#more-774193|url-status=usurped}} Retrieved on September 12, 2016.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Darkness Divided}} Category:Musical quartets from Texas Category:Musical quintets from Texas Category:Metalcore musical groups from Texas Category:Victory Records artists Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Texas Category:Musical groups established in 2010 Category:Musical groups from San Antonio Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2018 Category:2010 establishments in Texas