Darken was a short‑lived melodic black metal project from Wrocław, Lower Silesia, active between 1993 and 1994 before continuing briefly under the name Legion. The project was created and entirely performed by Rob Darken, best known as the mastermind behind Graveland and Lord Wind, and one of the most influential figures in the early Polish black metal underground. Darken used this project as an outlet for a more melodic and atmospheric interpretation of black metal, distinct from the harsher, more epic direction he would later pursue with Graveland.
The sole release under the Darken name, the 1993 demo My Celtic Blood, showcased an instrumental approach that emphasized mood, melody, and a sense of ancient, pagan atmosphere. Built on flowing guitar lines, minimal percussion, and a raw yet evocative production style, the demo reflected Darken’s early fascination with Celtic themes and atmospheric soundscapes. Although instrumental, the music carried a strong narrative quality, blending melancholic melodies with a primitive black metal edge.
Darken’s brief existence and limited output have made My Celtic Blood a cult item among collectors of early Polish black metal. The project’s transition into Legion in 1994 marked the end of the Darken name, but its musical spirit—melodic, atmospheric, and rooted in ancient European themes—would continue to influence Darken’s later work and the broader Polish underground.
| Rob Darken | Everything (1993-1994) |
| See also: Graveland, Lord Wind, ex-Infernum, ex-Legion, ex-Mysterial, ex-Thoth, ex-Woodtemple (live) | |
| My Celtic Blood | Demo | 1993 |