The Darkness are today kicking off their mammoth 32-date European and UK ‘Tour De Prance’ in celebration of the release of Pinewood Smile, their highest charting album since 2012, out now through Cooking Vinyl.
Pinewood Smile has entered at No.8 in the UK Album Chart. It tops the Rock & Metal Chart and is the No.1 charting independent album, and the only independent album in the Top 10 this week. It’s The Darkness’ third Top 10 album release, with all of their five albums charting in the Top 15.
Pinewood Smile finds The Darkness on electrifying form, delivering some of the most sharp-witted, infectious and downright brilliant songs of their career, which has been greeted by rave reviews:
“Killer tunes” – Q ****
“Return to top form” – MOJO ****
“A triumphant comeback” – Planet Rock ****
“Boredom-destroying heavy rockers return with madcap, euphoric fifth album” –
Kerrang ****
“The new album Pinewood Smile has the rockers back on top form” – The Sun ****
“Pinewood Smile should still leave devotees beaming” – Daily Mail ****
The multiple award-winning, platinum-selling rock gods launched their album last Friday, and to mark the occasion set sail, performing a surprise set to unaware commuters on a Thames Clipper sailing from Woolwich Arsenal to the London Eye. Ahead of the album release The Darkness released the track ‘Southern Trains’ to widespread coverage in The Sun, Daily Star, Metro, The Times, The Independent, NME, Shortlist, Radio 4 and ITV’s Lorraine.
‘Southern Trains’ follows the release of both lead single ‘All The Pretty Girls’ and the expletive-drenched insight on the music industry, ‘Solid Gold’, all of which feature onPinewood Smile.
The Darkness will be playing their widely praised new songs and beloved back catalogue on the ‘Tour De Prance’, which starts tonight at Dolans in Limerick as part of three nights in Ireland, before they tour the rest of Europe. The band returns to the UK in November to play 17-dates including a headline show at London’s Hammersmith Eventim Apollo on December 10th. Full dates can be found at http://www.thedarknesslive. com/tour-dates/
