Dark Sermon
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Defunct | 2017 (indefinite hiatus) |
| Headquarters | Tampa , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Dark Sermon was a blackened death metal group originating from Tampa, Florida. Established in 2009 under the name "In Reference to a Sinking Ship," they adopted the name "Dark Sermon" in 2012. The band entered an indefinite break in 2017.
In Reference to a Sinking Ship (2009–2012)
The band was created in Tampa by Austin Good, Bryson St. Angelo, Evan Miller, Austin Chandler, and Johnny Crowder. They released a demo in 2009 followed by the EP Aimless in 2010. These initial recordings attracted attention from underground metal blogs and media, elevating their recognition across the Tampa metal community. Their live performances included sharing stages with prominent bands such as Obscura, Evergreen Terrace, Stick To Your Guns, Norma Jean, and Shai Hulud. In 2010, they participated in both the Summer Slaughter Tour and the Vans Warped Tour. Early 2012 saw them touring with King Conquer, Forty Winters, and Abiotic as their popularity grew.
Name Change, Signing to eOne Music/Nuclear Blast, In Tongues (2012–2013)
In 2012, the band transitioned to the name Dark Sermon. Vocalist Johnny Crowder explained that the previous six-word name was cumbersome and difficult to remember, which affected how seriously they were taken. He noted that their new name better reflected their musical style.
Following this rebranding, Dark Sermon toured alongside King Conquer, The World We Knew, Sirens and Sailors, and Abiotic. They released music videos for the tracks "In Tongues" and "Hounds," both featured on their debut album. On November 12, 2012, they secured a global record deal with eOne Music for an album release scheduled for the next year. They ended 2012 performing at Barge to Hell, an extreme metal cruise hosting bands like At The Gates, Exodus, Sepultura, and Soilwork.
Their first full-length album In Tongues launched on March 26, 2013 through eOne Music in North America. Nuclear Blast Records handled its European release on April 12, 2013. The single "Imperfect Contrition" premiered on March 5, 2013. Throughout that year, Dark Sermon extensively toured North America and made their debut performances in Canada during March.
The Oracle (2014–2017)
In 2014, the group announced a headlining tour across the United States and unveiled "Starve," the lead single from their forthcoming second album. After completing touring commitments, they concentrated on finishing the new album anticipated for release in 2015. Later that year, they toured alongside Suffokate, Reformers, Blood of the Martyrs, and Colossus.
Dark Sermon joined 70000 Tons of Metal as a late addition in January 2015—a four-day metal cruise featuring over sixty bands including Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, and Behemoth. Subsequently, they announced consecutive tours with Sworn Enemy / Wretched and Aborted / Fit For An Autopsy / Archspire. On May 28, 2015, they revealed that their sophomore album The Oracle would be released on August 21 through eOne Music.
To promote The Oracle, Dark Sermon issued multiple singles accompanied by extensive touring. The music video for "Rat King" premiered on September 8, 2015. They toured North America throughout autumn supporting Cattle Decapitation and released a second video for "The Eyeless Needle."
Touring persisted into 2016 across North America with support slots for bands such as Thy Art Is Murder, Rings of Saturn, and Rivers of Nihil, including a full U.S. headline tour featuring Canadian hardcore group Exalt.
In 2017, vocalist Johnny Crowder announced that Dark Sermon would enter an indefinite hiatus after fulfilling obligations with eOne Music and Nuclear Blast Records due to several members retiring from live performances. Concurrently, Crowder initiated a new project named Prison.
2012
- East Coast itinerary from February 1 to 19 featuring Forty Winters and A Fight For Life (performing as IRTASS)
- Shredded to Pieces trek between April 15 and 22 alongside King Conquer, Abiotic, and Forty Winters (as IRTASS)
- Short engagement from August 5 to 11 with The World We Knew and Sirens and Sailors
2013
- Farewell tour of The World We Knew from February 9 to March 3 with support from Aegaeon
- Metalfest Invasion Tour spanning April 12 to 27 with Abiotic
- Crown of Phantoms North American circuit from July 26 to August 25 featuring Chimaira, The Browning, and Threat Signal
2014
- Headlining journey from June 1 through 25 accompanied by Kingmaker, Villains (Yüth Forever), and Widow (Darke Complex)
- The Thrill of the Kill tour held September 6 to 19 with Suffokate, Colossus, and Reformers
2015
- No Mercy No Surrender tour running April 7 to May 1 with Sworn Enemy, Wretched, and Hammerfight
- Spring tour between May 8 and June 7 alongside Aborted, Fit For An Autopsy, and Archspire
- North American Extinction tour from September 15 to October 7 supported by Cattle Decapitation, King Parrot, and Black Crown Initiate
2016
- Winter tour conducted from February 17 to March 6 with Rivers of Nihil and Black Fast
- The Coffin Dragger tour spanning April 6 to May 20 featuring Thy Art is Murder, Fit For An Autopsy, and Rings of Saturn
Members
- Final lineup
- Austin Good – guitar (2009–2017)
- Neal Minor – guitar (2011–2017)
- Jordan Jensen – drums (2013–2017)
- Paul Stellmach – bass guitar (2013–2017)
- Johnny Crowder – vocals (2009–2017)
- Past members
- Austin Chandler – bass (2009–2013)
- Bryson St. Angelo – drums (2009–2013)
- Evan Miller – guitar (2009–2011)
Discography
- Studio albums
- In Tongues (eOne Music, released in 2013)
- The Oracle (eOne Music, released in 2015)
- Extended plays
- Aimless (issued under the name In Reference To a Sinking Ship, 2010)
Videography
| Title | Year | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "In Tongues" | 2012 | Jeffrey Moore | In Tongues |
| "Hounds" | 2013 | Kevin J. Custer | In Tongues |
| "Rat King" | 2015 | Joey Durango | The Oracle |
| "The Eyeless Needle" | 2015 | Joey Durango | The Oracle |