Interview with Mike Schleibaum (guitar) of Darkest Hour by Jack Botos

Metal Curse: How did the band form?
Mike Schleibaum: We started when we were in High School. Me and John, the singer, started the band; it was not supposed to ever go this far, but it just got out of control and we never expected the DH to make it this far.

MC: Were you and/or the other guys involved in other projects prior to DH?
MS: Sort of, but nothing ever really serious.

MC: When you started the band, did you expect it to make this kind of impact?
MS: Like I said, no, we just wanted to play shows. We had no idea... It was all a big surprise that we kept it going for so long.

MC: If indeed the gaps of Metal and Hardcore have been bridged, no one deserves more credit than you. Would you say you've opened any doors for newer bands?
MS: Well I wouldn't say that, as it sounds bad coming from me, but I guess you could say that we did a lot as we are one of the few bands that started back when we did that are still around and have taken this type of music all over the world.

MC: Which crowd gives you the best response, Hardcore or Metal?
MS: That is hard to say. It depends really where you are in the world and who we are playing with. We don't like to take sides.

MC: Is the road life taking its toll on you guys at all?
MS: Sort of. It makes things hard sometimes, but also is the best thing about being in this band. It is the most stressful, but often most fun about being in the band.

MC: What was it like to work with Tomas Lindberg?
MS: It was awesome. He was a totally awesome dude who had a ton of great ideas and was easy to work with. Also he is the undisputed king of Death Metal. He is just an all around insane dude!

MC: I don't have the lyrics to the new LP, but the title suggests a political edge. What are your feelings on the situation in the Middle East?
MS: We think George Bush is fucking this world up and we can't wait to get him out of the office. He is the biggest threat to peace in the Middle East.

MC: On a different note, what's in your stereo right now?
MS: The last CD I got that I thought was totally awesome was the new David Lee Roth. It rules!

MC: How far does Darkest Hour have the potential to go?
MS: Who knows? We had no idea this shit would go this far

Check out Darkest Hour online at: www.darkesthour.cc

Also, don't forget the Victory records site (www.VictoryRecords.com) for more DH info!