DARKHAWK: Metal & Mayhem (Interview)

In the heart of Michigan’s heavy music scene, DARKHAWK is redefining what it means to rise from the underground. They’re not chasing trends or industry approval; they’re building a movement grounded in authenticity, community, and a deep respect for the sound that shaped them. Ask anyone in the band, and they’ll tell you — Michigan itself is part of their DNA.

“There’s a lot of amazing bands from Michigan,” says guitarist Jackson. “We pull influences from musicians as early as Motown or Iggy Pop, all the way to modern metal bands like I Prevail, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Chiodos. We’re also inspired by the local underground hardcore scene — there are so many incredible musicians pushing us to be the best band we can be.”

There’s a cinematic edge to the name DARKHAWK — it sounds like something ripped straight from a comic book universe. That’s not far off. “Darkhawk is a lesser-known Marvel superhero,” Jackson explains. “He had his own comic in the ’90s and never became that popular. When we were looking for a new band name, we stumbled on one of his comics and thought, ‘That would be an awesome name for a band.’” It’s the perfect fit: bold, slightly obscure, and rooted in the idea of transformation. Like the character they’re named after, DARKHAWK thrives in that liminal space between the human and the chaotic, where control meets destruction — and beauty exists somewhere between the two. Trying to describe DARKHAWK’s sound in a single sentence is like bottling a lightning storm. But vocalist Joey keeps it simple: “Music that makes you want to move.”

Their songs hit with a visceral immediacy. Yet beneath the aggression lies a meticulous sense of structure — a deliberate blend of melody and mayhem. “It mostly comes down to what parts of the song we really want to hit hard,” Joey says. “You can’t be super heavy all the time, or else it just blends together. We like to put more atmospheric parts before breakdowns or final choruses so they feel like getting hit by a truck.”

That precision isn’t accidental. For DARKHAWK, songwriting is less about formula and more about feeling. “Someone will usually come in with a vibe, and we’ll build a song around that,” explains Liam. “If someone says, ‘I have an idea for a song that sounds angry,’ we’ll dig through riffs and build from there. Having emotion behind the music is what makes it matter.”

While their sound sits firmly in hardcore and metalcore territory, DARKHAWK’s inspirations stretch beyond music. One of their more unexpected influences comes from the 1997 cult anime Perfect Blue.

“We wrote a few songs based on Perfect Blue,” says Liam. “It’s a movie about a pop star losing her mind after she retires. Black Swan actually pulls a lot from it. The movie is sometimes calm and sometimes chaotic — that balance worked really well with our sound.” That cinematic approach gives DARKHAWK’s music an almost visual intensity. Their songs play like emotional set pieces, guiding listeners through scenes of tension.

Anyone who’s seen DARKHAWK live knows their performances are less concerts and more physical experiences — a storm of sweat, motion, and unfiltered release. “I treat my sets like a workout,” says Vaughn. “When I’m out of breath, I push harder. Cardio or pre-workout before a set works wonders.” The result is unrelenting energy that borders on dangerous — literally.

“I had to go to the ER for heat exhaustion after a day where we played two shows in 90-degree heat,” laughs Jon. “I guess that means our set’s so intense you might end up in the hospital.” That kind of commitment has made DARKHAWK a standout presence in Michigan’s underground. Their live sets are raw and physical, but what sets them apart is the emotional connection behind the chaos. Hardcore has always been a genre steeped in emotion — but for DARKHAWK, the past year has marked a deeper shift in how they channel those feelings.

“In the past, we liked to write about media we felt connected to,” Joey explains. “Stuff like Perfect Blue or Chainsaw Man. Lately, we’ve been trying to put more of ourselves and our emotions in the music. The kind of music we play can be really cathartic, so we’ve been leaning into that more.”

That evolution came to life in their single “A Corpse is Talking,” a track that quickly became a fan favorite and a defining moment for the band. “We put a lot of love into that song,” the band shares. “It’s our favorite to play live, and it’s the first song where we really poured our emotions in. The lyrics came from a rough past relationship, so it means a lot to us.”

That vulnerability doesn’t dilute their heaviness — it strengthens it. DARKHAWK’s ability to weave emotion into aggression is what makes their sound resonate beyond the pit. 

For DARKHAWK, success isn’t measured in numbers — it’s in the strength of the scene that surrounds them. “The underground heavy metal scene here is amazing,” Jackson says.

“There are so many bands and creative people — from musicians to photographers to sound engineers — all helping each other. There are benefit concerts every week for all kinds of causes. It’s awesome to see.”

They’re quick to shout out their peers. “Some bands doing great things right now include Ratmatia, Living Ai, Death Arcana, General 11, and Plum Wild,” says Jon. “And there are so many cool house venues — Bella’s Beatdown Bunker in Detroit, Metal Frat in Ann Arbor, We/Us in Bay City. We also have to shout out Sean at Second Wind Studio — he’s an incredible producer and awesome to work with.”

This sense of community extends beyond the stage. “We’ve been trying to go to more local shows,” says Vaughn. “A lot of our fans are also in bands, so we try to support them. Our DMs are always open too — we love connecting with people.”

Despite the intensity of their sound, DARKHAWK doesn’t take themselves too seriously — and that’s part of their charm.

“We’re not afraid to be ourselves, even if it pisses someone off or comes off as cringy,” Vaughn says. “We won’t change just to be liked or popular. We’re just here for a good time.”

That unapologetic attitude fuels everything they do. They’ve got a “really special cover” planned for the holidays — one they tease is based on a certain movie and “indie music from 2014.” As Vaughn put it in our messages, “Remember, we always come back.” 

And when asked what they’d change about the industry? Jon answers without hesitation: “We’d figure out how to make live tickets cheaper. Prices are getting ridiculous, and that alienates a lot of fans. Live music should be for everyone.”

For DARKHAWK, success isn’t about streaming numbers or chart placements — it’s about meaning.

“Success for us would be doing what we love,” the band says. “We enjoy being in DARKHAWK and want to make a career from it. An international tour would be amazing. But really, seeing people connect to our music and have a good time — that’s more than enough.”

“Success for us would be doing what we love,” the band says. “We enjoy being in DARKHAWK and want to make a career from it. An international tour would be amazing. But really, seeing people connect to our music and have a good time — that’s more than enough.”

That grounded perspective is what makes DARKHAWK feel like the heartbeat of Michigan’s new wave of hardcore — fierce, emotional, and entirely their own.

They’re not chasing fame. They’re building something lasting. From the dive bars to the house shows, from the Motown ghosts to the modern metal titans, DARKHAWK carries the legacy of Michigan’s music culture forward — with noise, emotion, and no apologies.