Biography
There are at least three groups named Dark Forest:
1.) A Canadian epic black metal band.
2.) A British heavy/power metal band.
3.) A hip-hop group from Queens, NY.
1.) Dark Forest is an epic metal one-man project currently based in Calgary, Canada. A live lineup exists for live performances, however DARK FOREST is first and foremost a studio project. Created in late 2003 by David Parks, the vision of DARK FOREST remains to create an epic style of atmospheric metal fuelled by a connection with heritage, history and nature. Parks began the initial writing process in late 2003 with songs such as Among Silent Pine, Warwinds, and Under The Northern Fullmoon. The writing process continued from here until early 2005. A four track demo was arranged and released that summer and titled Demo 2005. It received many positive reviews, and was also hailed one of the most promising demos of that year by reviewers.
The band belonged to the Triskalyon circle/collective in 2006-2007, which also included A Forest of Stars, Azag-Thoth, Darklink, Death Kvlt, Gallia Fornax, Havarax, Monarque, Mortifier, Sinful Dimentia, Soufferance, Terrorist, Throne of Mortality, Unkwiss, Vision Eternel, Vision Funeral Doom, Vision Lunar, Vision Pariah and Vision Solitude.
2.) Formed in 2002 by Christian Horton and original bassist Dave Batham, Dark Forest set out to write and play Heavy Metal music. By 2004, after a year of small gigs, the band released a three song demo called Succubus. A few line up changes later and many more gigs under their belt they produced two self-recorded EPs, 'Fear Dearg' and 'Phantoms of the Sea'. In 2007 the band signed to Eyes Like Snow records who saw potential in the demo material. They released their debut album 'Dark Forest' in 2009. Recently recruited to the current line up is vocalist Will Lowry-Scott who took over vocal duties from Christian to result in the first five piece line up of the band. Now signed to Iron Kodex and stronger than ever, Dark Forest are prepared to lead British Heavy Metal back to its former glory. Combining the great legacy of classic NWOBHM-acts like Tyrant, Elixir, Maiden or Tredegar with the pounding glory of Epic Metal bands like Isen Torr] and the beautiful mythic harmonies of Anglo-Saxon folk music, Dark Forest deliver an absolutely unique brand of classic, no-bollocks Heavy Metal. Galloping rhythms, insanely beautiful twin guitar harmonies and unbelievable vocal lines - everything British Metal was famous and loved for in the early 80's is there. If there‘s a band to lead English heavy metal back to former glory, it‘s Dark Forest.
3.) Producer Mike Grier aka DJ Panda put together the project using funds from his writing credit on Snow's "Informer" track which Grier wrote with MC Shan around 1992. It was several years after writing the beat and not even getting a credit, that a friend of Mike's, who worked at Green Street Studios, hooked him up with a music industry lawyer after the Snow track became a worldwide hit. He won the case and for years Mike would receive a royalty cheque for his contribution to the song and around 1995 he put some money into the project he was currently working on. He set up the Dark Forest crew, originally with his brother and cousin and over a few years added more local MC's. He brought in his next door neighbour and MC called Bobby Grey and his friend Skurge, as well as some round the way rappers. In 1996 he pressed up 300 copies of the "The Region/Shhh" 12" on his own label Jusmik and sold them on consignment, mostly to Queens mom and pop stores. Following on from the Snow/Sham shadiness, he wanted to do everything himself. Like many Hip Hop projects in the 90's, there was just one single and the group disbanded and went their separate ways.
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