![Declan Joyce & Ray Diamond [DarkJoy]](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_1200/u_https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/ttnRb1AMgH5k3f8qPNnA/media/673deca9486b913065497630.jpeg)
From a studio in Galway to the World
DarkJoy's Beginnings
Declan’s love of hard rock and metal was ignited during his teenage years in the 1970s when he discovered Slade, and later, Black Sabbath, buying the band’s 1977 album, Greatest Hits from a friend for 50p. The minute he put that album on, he didn’t want the music to stop.
Ray's first love is rock, and he learned to play guitar listening to Rory Gallagher, who was his biggest inspiration.
Declan's family got him a voucher to record in Ray’s studio for his 50th, and they just hit it off immediately. DarkJoy’s just taken off from there.
Spotlight: Past Lives
THE MUSIC
DarkJoy's Discography
Two guys who grew up listening to heavy rock and it became engrained in them. The dream is to make music that does exactly the same to others and let that passion carry on eternally.
Declan and Ray give every song their heart and soul, living every second of every note. “We’re doing this for the love of it.”
DarkJoy 5.55
Our fifth album tracks;
The line ends with me, All I want from you, Past lives, Very Different People, Nobody’s Perfect, Legion of the Damned, 5.55, Reincarnate, Prove Yourself, Today is not that day
DarkJoy 1111
Our fourth album tracks;
I’m of the Night, Gates of Hell, Living for the Moment, Doomsday Clock, Between Two Worlds, Unwanted Guest, The Reaper, I Need a Change, Bring it On, and Wild Boars
Mirrors Of Darkness
Our third album tracks;
I’m of the Night, Gates of Hell, Living for the Moment, Doomsday Clock, Between Two Worlds, Unwanted Guest, The Reaper, I Need a Change, Bring it On, Wild Boars
DarkJoy II
Our second album tracks;
Sky Dive, Life is Life, Warrior in the Wind, Courage, The Dogs of War, Where Do We Go Now, We Are One, The Legion Born, Angers Rising, Dragons and Angels, and Discovery
Darklings Dream
Our first album tracks;
Ancient Recognition, Legion of the Damned, Total Darkness, Stay Strong, The hunter, This universe is my domain, A knights honour, Just satisfy me, Inner feelings
FAQS
Declan, where did the idea for DarkJoy come about?
My youngest daughter Meaghan had always heard me around the house singing songs I’d written myself. It was coming up to my 50th birthday, and she wanted me to record something for it, so my family got me a voucher to record in Ray’s studio. Myself and Ray met up and we just hit it off immediately. We had great fun recording a song, my kids loved it, and all of a sudden they got me vouchers to make an album, and it’s just taken off from there.
Ray, what was the attraction to joining DarkJoy?
My first love is rock - Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, I learned to play guitar listening to Rory Gallagher, he’s my biggest inspiration. In the studio it’s not very often you get people wanting to do classic rock, so Declan gave me the chance to take out the Les Paul guitars, get the Marshall Emulation pedal going, and start belting out riffs.
Being in DarkJoy is great fun, it’s a challenge, it’s a great release. Working with different rock singers throughout the years, many of them have never had a passion to do original music, but DarkJoy has given me an opportunity to belt out riffs I’ve had stored up.
Have DarkJoy any plans on touring?
No, we are an entirely studio bound creation, we do not play live, and have no plans on touring either. Our songs notched up thousands of plays on YouTube, Spotify and Facebook; and have been heard on radio stations across the world. We’re just doing this for the love of it!
THE BAND
Meet the faces behind the music of this rock/heavy metal band.
Declan Joyce
Vocalist
Ray Diamond
Guitarist/Producer
