Key Takeaways

• Guitar Solos: Mike Schleibaum highlights the impressive guitar solos by Nico Santora on “The Unforgiving Hand.”
• Album Theme: The album Suffer Divine explores the concept of divine suffering and personal adversity.
• Collaborative Process: The songwriting process is a collaborative effort, emphasizing the importance of communication within the band.
• Musical Inspiration: Darkest Hour draws inspiration from various metal subgenres while maintaining their unique sound.

Leave it to a guitarist to geek out over guitar solos. So we did, as Full Metal Jackie started digging in with Darkest Hour’s Mike Schleibaum about the guitar work he and fellow guitarist Nico Santora brought to the band’s latest album, Suffer Divine.

When asked about his favorite solos on the record, Schleibaum first shouted out Nico Santora for his work essentially starting “The Unforgiving Hand” with a near two-minute long solo. “It has almost like a Pink Floyd structure where it’s like a really long guitar solo and then an emotive release at the end,” he shares. “I’m like the dude who’s always pushing for these crazy song structures and these stupid ideas, but it really works and it really brings his style, his moody style.”

As for his own work on the record, he’s quick to recognize “Everyday Horrors,” in part for the journey it took. “[It] wasn’t even supposed to happen. There was other stuff that was going on in the song and then we kinda rearranged it,” he recalls. “So for this song, we wanted something that really, really felt Exodus, really felt Slayer, really just felt like that style. And so I had to come up with it there and with everybody and it was just fun to be able to do that and have it come out so good. So that’s my favorite.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Schleibaum tells Jackie that the new Suffer Divine album may challenge the thinking of those who consider them a metalcore band. He also digs into the narrative ideas that permeate the record and why it was important to leave listeners with an open-ended question in the album closer. And the guitarist shares some of his favorite music of 2026 that continues to influence himself and the band in a variety of ways.

Check out more of the chat below.

It’s Full Metal Jackie and I am so excited because I have Darkest Hour riffmeister Mike Schleibaum with us. The band is back and stronger than ever with their eleventh studio record, Suffer Divine. Mike, that’s an interesting album title. Can you tell me how the idea of Suffer Divine ultimately plays into what Darkest Hour did in creating this record?

This is funny because over the course of today where I’ve been doing a bunch of interviews, I had to Google what is the definition of a concept record. And it turns out, I guess we wrote one.

I think when you’re in the bubble and you’re writing this stuff, you’re wondering, are we just screaming into the void? Is this just decoration that’s going over the music? But anyway, the overarching theme of this album, Suffer Divine, is a play on this Christian idea of divine suffering. One can find worth in and value in basically acknowledging, addressing and living through some sort of suffering or adversity.

This is loosely a play on it because we’re definitely not coming at it from a Christian angle. We’re more coming at it more as a band. We’ve had to accept that if something isn’t wrong, then it doesn’t feel right.

Mike, you were just talking about this idea that as a band, if something isn’t going wrong, it almost doesn’t feel right. After doing this for as long as you guys have, how much has learning to live with that constant struggle shaped what this new record, Suffer Divine, is about?

Everything is always going wrong somehow. Your idea of success, the goalpost is always moving. You are constantly playing this spin game in your head. We were talking for a minute about as artists we have to question, 11 records dedicated to your life.

People can say this is me and John’s life’s work to do a melodic death metal band. But why would you do this? Why do you continue to do this? These are things that you have to ask yourself and you have to be able to answer. And so as a person who loves heavy metal for the rest of his life and for his entire life, the same way that you do, it’s why you dedicate your time to do all this. You’re a lifer too; you can understand this.

I’ve accepted that this is tough. Oh, great; I have a band. Now the internet. Oh, now social media. Oh, now COVID. You know what I’m saying? Like every step along the way; why? What is the “Now I gotta do this?”

Also, somebody was saying this to me: “Oh, it’s so much work,” and I was like, “But it’s not work though; it’s love though. We love to do this — are you kidding me?” Like counting the T-shirts before you go on tour sounds like a job, but dude, we put on some Van Halen and it’s the best. It’s a place where we aren’t even counting the T-shirts; we’re just hanging around where everybody’s counting T-shirts. It’s the place to be; you know?

You accept that things are gonna go wrong and as a group you guys are gonna experience it together and that shared experience actually becomes the journey and that is actually the reward for doing this entire bull. So once you sort of accept all that, you realize you are the eye of the storm in a sense in that your personal spin; your personal war in here is your perspective of it is all that you can change and all that you can control and really all that matters.

And so as the songs dig into what they’re about, they play into this idea. I will say that even though it is a very deeply personal record, the songs are written to be universal.

So John [Henry], as the main lyricist, we work really tightly together on everything and he has to constantly be answering my questions: “What is this about? What are you trying; what are we trying to say here? What are people gonna think we’re saying here?” He does a great job of translating our communications and our feelings and our conversations into these things that become very intimate expressions of himself and myself that I can speak on behalf on for all of us.

And so I think that speaks to the fact that the songs are universal.

Mike, we were talking earlier about how personal this new record is but at the same time you wanted these songs to connect with people and feel universal. Was there something that really inspired the way you approached that when you were making Suffer Divine?

Something that really inspired me when we were making this record was I love old interviews; old rock footage; and we were doing a deep dive of watching old Slayer interviews.

It was sick back in the day when Jeff Hanneman was the only dude that talked. He was unhinged; awesome; crazy. But he has this one interview they’re doing in a graveyard where he’s the only dude talking; like he’s like the lead singer of the band; and he’s like: “Slayer is gonna make no sense to anyone unless you’re a person who has problems. This is music for people with problems because we have problems. That’s why we’re here; and we love people with problems.”

It’s just kind of this whole spouting off all this about how it’s just music for people by people. And I think what’s awesome and unique and special about our record too is that while we all have found some sort of balance to be able to continue to do this band; we’re constantly in situations and having thoughts and all sorts of things that make us feel equally as crazy as what Hanneman’s talking about.

We wanted to make a record that spoke to people who have been through and who have had to survive. And we understand we come at this from a place of privilege because there is a big spectrum of suffering in the world right now.

And to act like what I’m talking about is on the same comparable level that’s happening is hard but a lot of us are gonna fight our most important battle inside. So that’s what this record is sort of like — not really a handbook for because we don’t like rules and we don’t like anyone telling us what to do but more of an exploration on it; workshop on it.

Mike Schleibaum discussing Darkest Hour’s new Suffer Divine album with us and I wanna get into the title track here. It’s one of the first things we heard from this album and it’s a very fitting statement given the divisiveness of things in the world these days. Can you speak to where the song comes from and do you personally see a way in which we can shut down division or are things too far gone?

Okay; well first of all let me say that I’m excited that you’re gonna play this track because this is the first and only special version of it that includes an edited bleep ’cause it’s an extreme song. So dude; we made this track especially for everybody here because they said: “Hey; we need an edited track.” And it was like: whoa; I forgot there was a cuss word.

We don’t normally like to write ultra angry songs — normally a Darkest Hour song has a reflection on something to sort of play on that idea because we’re not inherently just solely angry people. That said; when you’re in the bubble of humanity that is now speaking through these stupid little devices; it is so easy to feel that rage and feel how much accountability seems to be lost and how much good guys seem to finish last.

So I think that this song is just really more of just a space where we realize that you can turn off comments on internet but people are still talking wherever they want to. But thing about song is that we just get to do it then it’s there then you need think about it.

And that’s why songs like “Nazi Punk’s Bleep Off,” which we cover — like that’s such a poignant cool song because it’s an idea that exists — everybody has lots opinions about using word Nazi but still Jello [Biafra] put it out there — it’s down there — it’s an artistic statement.

Darkest Hour, “Suffer Divine”

Mike, we were talking about wanting to make statement with this song and put some anger frustration you’re feeling out into world. How much came from what you guys are actually seeing experiencing around you?

We wanted do something similar with song say something about because feel it — like feel division everywhere go — in Uber drivers at gas stations at truck stops — get little Polaroids culture everywhere go because we’re basically just there for second then we’re gone.

You start see humanity fast but get see close up raw because you’re seeing basic interactions — so we just kind wanted put down be like: “Man; this messed up — I don’t know what it is but hope person pays.”

It’s tough put out there ’cause like said don’t like write angry songs but that’s part part picture part suffering part pain part working through all those things accepting anger then figuring out what do with it.

And so that’s sort flip song think makes feel full-circle Darkest Hour song because idea Tony Iommi getting fingers cut off he used strength somehow — tweaked way played guitar.

A lot times people’s weaknesses what’s different them what’s easily shameable them can become their greatest attribute times their biggest lifeline into whatever they really wanna take their life — your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength — sometimes just need wear hate warpaint.

What John trying say just gotta own become because then can’t taken away from you can’t used harm you can use fuel — something like without also trying tell exactly what song’s about maybe can read lyrics see what think.

Mike, you said sonically Suffer Divine an album born your collective love for things melodic death metal With mind were there touch tones trying hit putting record together references what either lyrically sound-wise wanted incorporate realizing vision?

Man it’s funny no one has asked me yet but we’ve sort our existence played around sphere heavy metal death metal melodic death metal hardcore and space most time we’ve sort labeled metalcore.

But having ties Sweden sort being one first American bands really bleed there sometimes if get real purist or European they might come there go: “No Darkest Hour melodic death metal This other thing’s metalcore.” They’re just lumped there ’cause their time frame but all love all these little subgenres metal ’cause all kinda dumb.

That being said when started writing record started realize wow one really distinctly melodic death metal And okay we’re gonna wear on its sleeve run up flagpole But when were asking question you’re like: “Did use anything reference?” It was funny ’cause my answer my head immediately was like: “Yeah us.” Because mean while do like take influences from all over place lot Swedish bands even newer bands went tour recently Exodus Well not newer bands went tour recently Exodus Fit For Autopsy Undeath Decapitated … Taking vibe taking influences well old school ones Carcass At Gates Slayer part family tree.

But really end as writing wasn’t like: “Well cool make sound little Metallica Make sound little this.” It was like: “No does sound like Darkest Hour?” You know? And think what album really focused melodic death metal Darkest Hour album.

Early on process were beaming how thrashy aggressive everything sounded hyping up guitar solos next level That leads me pair related questions Between your stuff Nico’s favorite solo off album why does surpass overall favorite solo time Darkest Hour?

Oh God We getting ultra-geeky area here So hopefully people don’t just conk out okay But love guitar solos yada yada yada Every record gotta come up something People 13-year-olds nine-year-olds blowing mind out there shredding stuff they’re doing So how even stay relevant keep true vision band somehow play game guitar shredding heroics.

Nico ultra talented super awesome addition band And just me he has lot say wants say guitar And I’m really excited about song “The Unforgiving Hand” record It opens with like two-minute long guitar solo which something we’ve never done before.

It has almost like Pink Floyd structure where it’s like really long guitar solo then emotive release end And I’m like dude who’s always pushing these crazy song structures these stupid ideas but really works brings style moody style.

Darkest Hour, “The Unforgiving Hand”

We’ve had multiple lead guitar players We have dual lead positions kinda Maiden but multiple other guitar players along course band’s trajectory they’ve each brought something little new game And used say Nico brought bends ’cause would just bend guitar He would bend notes He would become emotive with But now realize more anything brought feeling emotion some these things was little lacking speed complexity we doing past.

I really think guitar playing record really soulful think song especially showcases Nico’s talent soloist But there also other songs have ripping solos.

Mike we’ve been geeking out guitar playing their new record Suffer Divine. When comes own playing record what were trying bring these solos which one ended being personal favorite?

Every solo tab-able YouTube-able proven Five guitar players room voted yes it’s sick kinda thing My personal favorite solo contributed record actually song “Everyday Horrors” which wasn’t even supposed happen There other stuff going on song then kinda rearranged it.

There times lean Slayeristic style times lean classical style We balance all doesn’t get boring whereas maybe Exodus does one style solo Slayer does one style.

Darkest Hour, “Everyday Horrors”

The song wanted something really felt Exodus felt Slayer felt style So had come up there everybody fun able do come out good So that’s my favorite.

If you’re guitar player solo fan whatever then you’ll happy know music will available Guitar Pro PDF format nerds get shred Instagrams show us much better can play than us.

The thing joy compose heavy metal guitar way makes people feel anything makes them excited learn guitar Because biggest compliment guitar player can get have someone watch them play guitar have person say want play guitar Maybe they don’t say want play like person know want be like person but just have them say man want want play guitar.
<pMikethis ends one my favorites from record A Story Redemption The way ends up decide such killer line leave listeners Why important leave open-ended idea closing statement?

Might some way communicate band because collaborative band even though very strong personalities Any one ready walk over everyone be okay But space between those personalities interacting makes something very special spark flame type thing.

This song really wanna say up decide But end question sounds almost more argumentative almost like having conversation way And kind way communicate because some what do seems combative mean sort same way people might see Sicilians talking they’re really saying yo how doing It’s great but if go Sicily man looks they going at it But that’s how do know?

I think lyrics times can combative because think lot things talking songs tough So has element where almost needs break through kind argument.

This song especially sort zoomed out take whole record where main character really personification lot ideas happening record sort gets reflect whole thing journey whole thing.

This sort came together started more linear song then took shape almost Iron Maiden-y type song It was cool haven’t done long time ever maybe felt special felt could end record could closing circle thematically album drop talk talk reflections talk kind well now what gonna do with?

Darkest Hour, “A Story Redemption”

<pMikethere typically moment where truly judge how feel work you’ve done album Is when finish record seeing fans respond finishing album tour cycle even years later seeing songs evolve within live performance Where currently sit new record?

I think always changing When look records sometimes looking mirror Like looking chapters things happened life know other people been band contributed course But me been main creative focus whole time.

I look each record people say they’re kids man celebrate birthdays You know mean champion each one graduate 21 then 30 Your perspective each change much.

I used really not understand second record be little embarrassed by Now completely feel different You’re gonna go phases along way make new ones So I’ve given trying make quantifiable determination any songs.
<p[READ MORE]: [The First Song With Clean Vocals By Bands Who Didn’t Use Them Before

I don’t love Demons It isn’t favorite song Why most streamed can’t control Maybe best song But Is cause got playlists Well was Guitar Hero Does even matter?

You always searching internet trick numbers everywhere There’s some quantitative answer any but there’s not Like artist better create look feel same way everybody else Let emotions change able move from so don’t get paralyzed.

I think where I’m at where at peace back catalog There things would’ve done different There things I better There’s this end proud It’s identity whole honest What else can more proud than being honest gave tried?
<p[As near end 2026 what’s been keeping inspired musically creatively past year Any standout picks year winding down?

<p creatively kind all over place stuff listening inspired It's not extreme metal although some extreme metal out there Just wanna shout Undead put new music mentioned earlier love new school death metal happening.

I also inspired hardcore punk some stuff coming Baltimore Like live Washington D.C right here long history cool punk hardcore bands exist city immersed lot people doing punk hardcore D.C mainly city actually older than me Being influenced some people been around D.C years still recording bands around here still jamming side that’s inspiring.

I have lot friends been bunch different bands here D.C constantly jamming dojo recording bands pulled lot inspiration lot bands from around town.

Baltimore awesome scene Like End It Angel Dust Turnstile keep going Trapped Under Ice Just awesome band awesome band hard older wanna escape Scorpions records wanna escape older Carcass records man newer Carcass records slam You know mean?

Younger bands cool prove oh my God I’m not dinosaur There’s something now can like And not exactly first two In Flames records anything but not same listener.
<p[Mike we’ve been talking newer music inspiring right now But bands grew up Is just inspiring when one those bands still put out record hits same way?

You have bands elder statesmen putting music mentioned Carcass newer Carcass records slam This newest At Gates record masterpiece statement Tomas swan song It’s all emotional even emotional listen dig into.

When band can make feel wow something brand new hell yeah also nostalgic same time undeniably awesome hard hard Carcass make feel way felt artwork felt artwork But they Like Surgical Steel not new record point makes feel same thing true new Exodus record How hell keep doing For band Darkest Hour who’s 31 important hone making feel Making feel whoa need jam new stuff same time being man feels old worn-in concert T-shirt cut sleeves fits right but new new one.
<pHow does make sense magic trick Bands do inspire When band does check off box take heart show done All need get started journey try do.

[Thanks Darkest Hour’s Mike Schleibaum interview band’s Suffer Divine album available now Stay up date band through website Facebook X Instagram Find hear Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show here.]

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