The Darkness Albums Ranked

The Darkness is a British rock band formed in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in 2000. The band consists of Justin Hawkins (lead vocals, lead guitar), his brother Dan Hawkins (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Frankie Poullain (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Rufus Tiger Taylor (drums, backing vocals. On 15 March 2011, The Darkness announced reunion shows, with original bassist Frankie Poullain, including Download Festival 2011, and the Isle of Wight Festival 2012. Their third album, Hot Cakes, was released on 20 August 2012. Original drummer Ed Graham then left the band, feeling the strain of touring was affecting his personal life, in which he had pressing issues. In 2015 a fourth studio album was announced, entitled Last of Our Kind, which was released on 2 June 2015. A fifth album, Pinewood Smile, was released on 6 October 2017 and one year later on 15 June 2018 a live album, Live at Hammersmith, was also released. Their sixth studio album, Easter Is Cancelled was released on 4 October 2019. Here are all of The Darkness albums ranked.

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8. The Platinum Correction (2008)

“The awe-inspiring, heavy chug of opener ‘Black Shuck’, the glammy rock of ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ and ‘Growing on Me’, the hilariously obvious excess of ‘Givin’ Up’ and ‘One Way Ticket’… The Darkness’ first two albums are wall-to-wall ecstasy and headbanging glory, with nary a filler to bridge the gaps. ‘Girlfriend’ is a comically upbeat, poppy tune, but catchy all the same – and a great accompanying video – ‘Knockers’ features a building anthem, ‘Hazel Eyes’ is a beautifully done Scottish homage that combines folk with glam rock. Even the remarkably bizarre ‘Dinner Lady Arms’ or ‘English Country Garden’ find themselves into the mix.”

7. Live At Hammersmith (2018)

“The Darkness strikes a balance between awesomeness and transcendent, tongue-firmly-in-cheek hard rock of yesteryear like no other band out there…this is an excellent representation of their prowess on stage. So damn good.”

6. Pinewood Smile (2017)

“These are guys are carrying the torch to keep rock n roll alive! Great rock riffs and anthem songs. Very melodic and heavy as well. After listening you will have these songs constantly playing in your head. Very catchy and memorable. Just seen them live in Chicago at Park West last week. This is probably the best live rock show”

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5. Easter Is Cancelled (2019)

“Heavy Metal Lover in particular demonstrates what this band is all about: rock, hilarity, and poking fun at their state of being. Seriously, what a song! Funny, hardcore rocking, and a grove to kick anyone in the gut like a jab from a heavyweight champ. My gut tells me Easter is Cancelled (the song) is the best one on here due to the myriad of layers and complexity involved but HML is my favorite.”

4. Hot Cakes (2012)

“Hot Cakes is filled with Bad Boy Boogie Rockin songs. The songs have catchy power chords and are taken to EPIC status with Justin’s strong vocals and brilliant guitar solos!!! I like Hot Cakes better than Permission to Land and is just as good but not quite as Heavy Metal as One Way Ticket! Everybody have a good time!”

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3. Last Of Our Kind (2015)

“This is a cool album. Real powered rock, but with a great deal of accessibility and then add some of that Indy-cool offbeat-non mainstream feel to the mix. I’m reminded of other artists-but not. well worth the listen. I am constantly looking for something that catches me. Most mainstream is lowest common denominator Mcdonald’s drive through music. Much non-mainstream is completely self pigeon holed into exact genres.”

2. One Way Ticket To Hell… And Back (2005)

“With the driving guitar riffs and screeching vocals, The Darkness represents a throwback to the glory days of bands such as AC-DC and Van Halen. This is excellent music to drive fast to, or to work out to. I discovered after being pulled in by their one big recent hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” from their album “Permission to Land”. After hearing the tracks on this album, I realized I had stumbled on a hidden gem of a band.”

1. Permission To Land (2003)

“Permission To Land is the debut album by The Darkness and was robbed of the Mercury Music Prize a month or so ago. The spirit of this album makes it easily the best debut album of 2003. By the end of the year, it probably won’t be my favourite album of 2003, but it’ll be near the top somewhere.”