Heavy Metallers OUT OF DARKNESS Pay Tribute to King Diamond with a Cover and Video for ‘Welcome Home’!

The Metallist PR
Aug 29, 2025
3 min read

Jacksonville's OUT OF DARKNESS keeps pushing the new version of the debut work Seize The Day, this time paying tribute to the mighty King Diamond and one of his classic songs, Welcome Home. The band, founded by ex-Iced Earth drummer Brent E. Smedley and with ex-Megadeth/Iced Earth bassist James MacDonough performing on the album, offers a version that does not distort the original, giving it new life and vigor.

Watch the video of Welcome Home directed by Thomas Crane (killDevil Films):

OUT OF DARKNESS recently returned with a new version of the debut Seize The Day, now produced, mixed and mastered by the band's guitarist Bill Staley. The album delivers a raw, distinctive sonic onslaught that will keep you hooked on repeat.

Order Seize The Day on the band’s website – it includes an exclusive poster for fans: https://tinyurl.com/4pp39da7

Heavy Metallers OUT OF DARKNESS Pay Tribute to King Diamond with a Cover and Video for ‘Welcome Home’! — 'Seize The Day' Album Cover by Eric Barrios

Seize The Day marks a bold evolution for OUT OF DARKNESS, showcasing their signature blend of raw emotion, crushing riffs, and anthemic melodies. The re-recorded album revisits their earlier work with enhanced production, refined instrumentation, two new tracks, and a renewed intensity that captures the band’s growth and resilience.

Formed in 2020, OUT OF DARKNESS is a powerhouse American metal band that has rapidly established itself as a force in the heavy metal scene. Hailing from Jacksonville, the quintet blends classic power and progressive metal with modern, melodic influences, crafting a sound that is both timeless and innovative. Their music delivers a sonic journey, defined by crushing riffs, soaring vocal melodies, thought-provoking lyrics, and relentless rhythms that captivate audiences worldwide.

OUT OF DARKNESS burst onto the scene with their critically acclaimed debut EP, Seize the Day (2020), which showcased their raw energy and songwriting prowess. The EP’s title-track, along with singles Think Again and I Surrender, gained significant traction, with Think Again reaching #23 on the Billboard Rock Indicator Chart and #8 on the Foundations Rock Chart Top 10 Greatest Gainers. The band’s MTV-style music videos for these songs, alongside a gripping live video for Seize the Day, have garnered widespread attention, with the I Surrender video amassing over 100,000 views. Their electrifying live performances have solidified their reputation, and despite a hacker-related setback in 2025 that forced the band to restart their Facebook presence from a peak of 17,000 followers, they’ve quickly rebuilt a dedicated following, growing to 4,900 followers and counting. Their music also enjoys airplay on FM radio stations across the United States.

In 2024, OUT OF DARKNESS released its self-titled album, Out Of Darkness, a masterful work that redefines their sound and pushes the boundaries of true heavy metal. This epic full-length record is a testament to their evolution, featuring meticulously crafted songs that weave intricate musical landscapes with powerful storytelling. Tracks like Entity pay homage to the giants of metal’s past while showcasing the band’s unique vision, drawing inspiration from legends like Led Zeppelin and Queen, yet forging a path distinctly their own. As Metal Zenith notes, “Out Of Darkness is a complex band with big ideas and bigger dreams,” delivering a sound that resonates with both classic and modern metal fans.