DARKO - The Ladder (Official Video)

Veteran UK Melodic Hardcore act DARKO have returned with ‘The Ladder’ - their ambitious first new release in over five years. The track offers a first listen to the band with new vocalist, Tom West.

The single unapologetically serves up fiercely political lyrics across 7+ minutes of progressive thrash. West uses his new platform to urge fellow punks to take a stand against the scene's "embedded misogyny", screaming “How can we bring change with only people who look like us up on stage?”. Katz Hinsley of Manchester's Follow Your Dreams adds her signature yells to the track's crescendo.

‘The Ladder’ is available via all digital platforms ahead of the upcoming new EP 'SPARKLE', set for release on Lockjaw Records (EU) and Thousand Island Records (CA) in summer 2022.

Fans who want early access to all four tracks can purchase an exclusive 34-minute 4K feature, directed by Benny P (KoRn, Lenny Kravitz, Buzzcocks), featuring candid interviews and playthrough videos of ‘SPARKLE’ in its entirety. 'SPARKLE IN MOTION', is released today on Vimeo On Demand.

Video Filmed & Edited by Benny P Video:

Guest Vocals by Katz Hinsley, from Follow Your Dreams:
EP Produced and Mastered by Will Duff at Goliath Sound Studios:
Drums Recorded by Daly George at The Ranch:
Drums Edited by Charlie Munro at Munro Audio:
DARKO is proudly endorsed by Victory and use the V30 guitar amps.

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- LYRICS -
I’m not oblivious to the sad, raging irony of this hundred-per-cent-majority
A collective, continuing failure to open up the floor and strive for equity breeds constant catastrophe

No one can do everything
but everyone can do something
This drab cishet boys’ club needs to be done with
No one’s perfect, but the time has come
To solve the problem, we must accept there is one

‘Cause this scene’s big enough
For every one of us
Hold the door open
Don’t pull the ladder up

Emboldened by toxicity
Why not siphon the poison out and legitimately quash misogyny?
Re-evaluate normality
Wield healthy scrutiny for the revered
Delete the code of silence

In just looking for the best, we’ve let the dirt-worst go over our heads
Rip out rotting foundations, build again
Begin to offset the guilt from these bleak consequences of the walls we’ve built
Call out the signs when we see them

So don’t keep your mouth shut
Don’t pull the ladder up
You’re part of the problem
Don’t pull the ladder up
No diversity, no empathy

So when will we decide to set our long wrong right?
Products of our conditioning
Even sweethearts have blindspots
Let go of your ego
Don’t pull the ladder up

Time’s up!
(Don’t pull the ladder up)
A perfect time for letting go (Don’t pull the ladder up)
Of this patriarchal stranglehold (Don’t pull the ladder up)
Your dry ‘banter’ disqualifies (Don’t pull the ladder up)
Be it tongue-in-cheek or otherwise

Responsibility lies with us
A slot monopolized
Perspectives homogenised
High-time we saw the world through someone else's eyes

"To fight learned entitlement we must assume the burden of vigilance"
Wanna make a safer space?
Get off the fence!
To let abusers go unchecked
Tells them abuse is something that we accept
Rip out the damn foundations
Build again

This scene’s big enough
For every one of us
Hold the door open
Don’t pull the ladder up
This scene’s big enough
Yeah!

Speak up!

Don’t let these creeps go unopposed
In too deep to say that you don’t know why more different people don’t get onboard
Talk to your band, your friends
All hands on deck to treat this sickness
The ship ain’t sailed
Don’t pull the ladder up

And yes I know how rich this is
But how do we bring change with only people who look like us up on stage?

The disregarded deserve better
It doesn’t have to be like this
Together we can start from scratch
Rebuild this wreck and start anew
All hands on deck, the time has come
To solve the problem we must accept there is one
The scene is big enough for every one of us
So hold the door open
Don’t pull the ladder up

Further reading: Think It’s #NotAllMen? These 4 Facts Prove You’re Just Plain Wrong
by Aaminah Khan

#theladder #musicvideo #sparkleinmotion #darko #darkoband #melodichardcore #hardcore #punk #skatepunk #ukpunk #ukskatepunk #technicalpunk #shred

[TGEFM]

I'm glad Darko kept it going and Tom joined up. This band is too good to go quietly, and the new music is great.

[natewatchman]

God damn, the switch in Tom's vocal into the louder half of the chorus at 3:48 is...just goosebumps. Incredible.

[TapeItShut]

My god, You have knocked it out the park!!!!

[onejohnnymartin]

I loved my first listen. Long love Darko! 🤍

[KapoSBR]

An 8 minute song in the age of 2 min trash - that's the answer. Love it! Can't wait to see you again live! <3

[theartofmakingsense]

Love it! Nice one, love the lyrics and the message!

[arturvilela]

Atualmente o melhor nível do hardcore melódico mundial. Acredito que outras duas bandas estão nesse patamar, Our Darkest Days e MUTE
Muito foda uma obra prima

[mircosilvestrini]

Amazing stuff guys, see ya at drunk in public, in Italy❤️

[CircusRhapsody]

This is epic! Great tune and the new singer totally kicks ass 🔥🎪🔥

[SuperdutyTruckLife]

you guys are honestly savin my life past couple months. thank you for existing and making the raddest punk music goin. Love you guys. never stop

[lunoislaverde]

This is so fuckin gooood! This reminds me of A Wilhelm Scream❤️ and it's kinda cool and funny that the band of the same name has the same vocalist name also😁

[cristiangutierrez]

I love your music, they are incredible.
Greetings from Mexico

[edimagdichnicht]

Oh its not the "Darko" i expected.. but its good

[jonnyxquest]

is this the singer from Almeida? it sounds a lot like him.

[fernandofurtado]

This song is amazing, but i would prefer a 5 minute version.

[Davey_]

Do both Darkos have a singer named Tom? Lmao

[javiersands]

MAN SERIOUSLY U HAVE thAt DARKO US IS TOP WAY better

[khaaaaaaaaaannn]

Can you please bring back your old singer? Send this new one back to the slam poetry bar where you found him