Darker Half

History

Singer/guitarist Vo Simpson formed Darker Half in 2003 while still in high school. The band initially performed in halls and occasionally in pubs, sometimes illegally. Their first appearance in the wider Australian metal community came at the first Metalstock festival in 2005. After drummer Jim Bridgeman and bassist Max Griffiths left upon graduating high school, Benito Martino and Simon Hamilton replaced them. The EP "Enough is Enough" was released at the second Metalstock festival in 2006, and a song from it appeared on the soundtrack of the film DarkLoveStory. Throughout 2006 and 2007, Darker Half played various east coast venues and participated in all three outdoor Metalstock festivals. In 2008, Nick Alderton was replaced by Dom Simpson, Vo's brother, on guitar. The band's first album, Duality, was released in 2009 and produced by former Dimmu Borgir guitarist Astennu. One track, "Take the Plunge", was included in the soundtrack of the film Acolytes. That year, Darker Half toured nationally as support for original Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno, and a music video for "Take the Plunge" was released. Martino left and was replaced on drums by Dom Simpson, who in turn was replaced on guitar by Brad Dickson. A national tour with Queensryche followed, along with a spot on the inaugural Screamfest international metal festival in Sydney. In 2010, the band again toured nationally with Paul Di'Anno, released a music video for "Helpless", and performed at many shows across Australia. Early in 2011, Darker Half recorded their second album, Desensitized, which was released in Australia on Rockstar Records. The Desensitized tour in August 2011 covered all Australian state capitals and many major regional centres. They headlined the Whiplash Festival in Brisbane and opened for international acts Alestorm, Children of Bodom, and Steve Grimmett.