Through the Darkness, known for their heavy approach to hard rock, have a genre-defying set-list that once ranged from instrumental tracks to brutal rock accompanied by the distorted vocal talents of Andrew. However, 2013 showed the progression of the band's sound. Since then, bassist Joe Swanson, second vocalist Cameron Stevens, and lead guitarist Justin Saffell have teamed up with the rest of the band. Together they have played multiple venues in Des Moines and now releasing their first professional album. They have had the honor to open the stage for Wretched, Fleshgod Apocolypse, Katakylsm, Stray from the Path, Fit for a King, THE PLOT IN YOU, Like Moth to Flames, For Today, and many more.The whole concept of “Through the Darkness” is far more than just practicing in our basements, rocking out on stage, and throwing the occasional party. We spend a majority of our time working to afford the equipment we use and also with our families. Three of our members have children and the other four are either working, attending college, or both. In our leisure time we write the songs that define who we are and what we stand for. Below is an example of this:“All of us experience an emptiness that seems impossible to fill during the course of our lives. We lose our way, fall off the desired path and get caught up in things that constrict our visions of life, our dreams into something so small and irrelevant that we may begin to lose all hope. During these trying times some seek shelter and solitude for progress while others dive into an alien world that they had never known while reaching for a savior in absolute chaos. However, all of us must learn that change will always be here and that we must not fall during these struggles but realize the natural order of life and let everything fall into place one piece at a time.”--Kristopher James Gathercoal, lyricist and guitarist in Through the Darkness Tyler Gathercoal, main songwriter and percussion artist, has been rocking the drums since he was just three years old. Growing up in Greene County, IA, Tyler was known for his talent in writing drum solos. In 2009 the band, eventually known as Through the Darkness, was started when the energetic patterns of Tyler's drumming met with the guitars of Kristopher James. Once the soaring vocals of Andrew Gathercoal joined them they were able to play small shows in Greene and surrounding counties. Due to the departure of guitarist Matthew Corrigan in December of 2013, Through the Darkness brought back the original guitarist of the band, Justin Saffell. Justin Saffell was the original guitarist of Through the Darkness before the band was known as"Through the Darkness". They referred to themselves as"Anavaren". Cameron Stevens - Vocalist (Boone, IA) Andrew Gathercoal - Vocalist (Grand Junction, IA) Tyler Gathercoal - Percussionist (Perry, IA.. winner of the Bill Riley Talent Search) Joseph Swanson - Bassist (purchased the band van) Justin Saffell - Lead Guitarist (Jefferson, IA) Kristopher James - Lyrics & Guitar (Grand Junction)