The Darker My Horizon recently release their fifth album, ‘From Out Of The Ashes’ on March 23 – ten years to the day of the release of their debut album ‘Acquiesce’.

Baker’s Dozen, in which various musicians choose 13 songs – a baker’s dozen – to make a playlist. The following rules apply –

Maximum of three songs from any artist
Maximum of two songs from any album
Maximum of two of your own songs (musicians only)
Track 13 is a song you’ve enjoyed that has been released in the past 13 years i.e. since 2012 or one all band members love.

The band’s current line-up consists of founder, vocalist and guitarist Paul Stead, drummer Russ Barnett, guitarist Jamie Bannon & bassist Mike Wigglesworth.

Paul Stead:

Superstitious – Europe

Porn Star Dancing – My Darkest Days

Mr Rainmaker – Warrant

Singer songwriters like Joey Tempest & Jani Lane influenced me massively. They create so much melody and their voices on these two tracks are superb. Add Kee Marcello to the mix and Superstitious is just flawless. Same with the guitar on PSD – Zakk Wylde is awesome. And Mr Rainmaker is the consummate hard rock song.

Jamie Bannon:

Hallowed Be Thy Name – Iron Maiden Was the first song I ever heard of Maidens and instantly fell in love with them. The mix of the slow and then fast tempo was amazing.

Youth Gone Wild – Skid Row Sebastian Bach; back in the day could hit almost any note in chest voice with grit so when I first heard him do that it sent shivers down my spine.

No More Tears – Ozzy Osbourne Was my first introduction to Zakk Wylde and his solo was perfection. It suited the song. The duo of Zakk and Ozzy for me just made me fall in love with those songs. So much so I named my son after him. Ozzy’s vocal melodies mixed with Zakk’s shredding and Melodic solos. Just doesn’t get any better than that for me.

Mike Wigglesworth:

Just A Day – Feeder This band were the soundtrack to my start in London – saw them at Reading Festival and they were so humble. Grant’s lyrics are a perfect blend of peculiar yet brilliant.

Just Because – Jane’s Addiction This song kicks butt… simples – the drums, bass and guitar are all perfect – the lyrics mean nothing to me, but I love the melody.

Fall At Your Feet – Crowded House Those harmonies… used to sing all their stuff with my brother – and so I had to stand up at the Crematorium and play it at his funeral.

Russ Barnett:

Lowlife – Theory of a Deadman A song about reckless living, partying, potentially substance abuse, and overall irresponsible behaviour. Then realising you messed up. Most of my younger adult years.

Decadence Dance – Extreme Just as I left school I heard this song. A song about a loss of innocence. A young boy leaving home and going into the decadent world and being tempted by all the things that go on in life. Boy was I tempted.

Rise Today – Alter Bridge We can all do something better for any given situation, as the world seems to be a tough place. A message for us all.

And for lucky 13 – our Baker’s Dozen – “Still Of The Night” from Whitesnake.

John Sykes truly was a talent to behold. As we recently lost both him & Bernie Marsden a “snake” tune often pops up in our live set.

The Darker My Horizon (Facebook)

The Darker My Horizon (Website)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 June 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 27 May 2025

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Power Plays w/c 2 June 2025

DARKNESS IS MY CANVAS Wash (Rockshots Records)
ABOVE SNAKES Forsaken (indie)
AWAKEN I AM Afterlife (SBG Records)
INDIGO SYNDICATE Better (indie)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Jesse (indie)
MISSION JUPITER Bittersweet (Love Song)(Label 51 Recordings)
THE HOME TEAM Worthy (Thriller Records)

Featured Albums w/c 2 June 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

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