Kicking off 2026 with fire and feeling, Mark Daly returns with “In The Dark”, a soaring, high-impact anthem that signals a bold new chapter in his evolution as an artist. Fresh from his biggest tour to date, including an explosive run across the U.S. and Canada supporting The Darkness, Daly enters the year with undeniable momentum. Though the track carries the pulse of a summer rock anthem, its January release feels intentional: a shot of light and energy designed to cut through the winter haze.
“In The Dark” is big, loud and unapologetically confident, yet beneath its towering guitars and driving rhythm lies something more intimate. Written from the emotional tension of holding back in a new relationship, that fragile tug of war over who dares to be vulnerable first, the song pairs introspective lyricism with explosive instrumentation. It’s a balance that has become a signature: swagger wrapped around honesty, power fuelling confession.
The single also marks a subtle shift in evolution. Following the raw intensity of previous releases, this new chapter feels sharper and more anthemic without losing the grit that defines their sound. Produced by Brian Virtue, the track captures the sweat and immediacy of their explosive live shows while allowing space for emotional clarity. The result is a song that feels both stadium-ready and deeply personal.
With a Number 1 position on the Irish download charts already under its belt, “In The Dark” doesn’t just introduce a new year, it hints at a broader emotional arc ahead. Where past work channelled frustration and demons, this next phase leans toward hope, risk and light. It’s rock music that dares to be vulnerable without sacrificing volume, and a band stepping confidently into their next era.
You’re kicking off 2026 with “In The Dark”. Why did this feel like the right moment for this song to lead the year?
Even though In The Dark has the vibe of a summer rock anthem, releasing it in January felt perfect to shake off those winter blues and bring in some energy and light. We’d just come off our biggest tour yet, so it made sense to strike while the iron was hot, haha. I’ve been blown away by the reaction; it’s amazing to see it hit Number 1 on the Irish download charts. It’s a great way to start the year.
Sonically, it’s big, loud, and confident, but emotionally, it’s quite vulnerable. Was that contrast intentional from the start?
Definitely. I love writing emotional, introspective lyrics, but that often leads to slower or darker songs. With In The Dark, I wanted to keep that emotional depth while pairing it with a driving, high-energy sound. The mix of vulnerable lyrics and powerful instrumentation felt great—it gives off a feeling of hope and release rather than sadness. That contrast was intentional from the start and ended up capturing exactly where I was emotionally at the time.
You’ve said the song came from the tension of holding back in a new relationship. What finally pushed you to write about that moment of emotional risk?
It’s funny, this song is actually a few years old. I don’t usually revisit older tracks, but this one just stuck with me. Sometimes a song’s meaning becomes clearer with time. When I came back to it, I remembered that early stage of a relationship when it’s all mind games, like a tug of war over who will let their guard down first. In the end, it’s about taking that risk, opening up, and realising that love is worth it, even with the chance of getting hurt.
Do you find it easier to express vulnerability through high-energy rock than through quieter material?
Much easier! When you’re in the vocal booth singing about love, loss, or personal battles, it can feel pretty terrifying. But when you’ve got massive guitars, driving bass, and pounding drums behind you, it gives you this sense of strength that makes the vulnerability easier to share—and sometimes easier to disguise.
There’s a real sense of momentum in this track, musically and personally. Do you feel like you’re entering a new chapter as an artist?
Yeah, something definitely feels different with this release. Maybe it’s because what we’ve recorded in the past was super raw, and this one feels a bit more polished and anthemic while still staying true to our rock roots. I’ve had so many messages from people saying rock isn’t usually their thing, but they really connected with this song, which is amazing to hear. It feels like we’re reaching new listeners without changing who we are, and that’s a really exciting place to be.
You’ve just come off an extensive U.S. and Canada tour supporting The Darkness. How did that tour shape you, both on stage and creatively?
It was such an incredible tour! The Darkness are absolute pros—they put on one of the best live shows in rock, hands down. Being on the road with them taught us so much about performance and connection. We pride ourselves on being a high-energy live band, so it honestly felt like the perfect pairing. I came home inspired, buzzing with ideas, and writing nonstop.
You’re known for explosive live performances. How important is it for your recorded music to capture that same physical energy?
It’s massively important. Capturing that live energy in the studio is always the biggest challenge. We were lucky to have Brian Virtue producing this record—he just got it. He knew how to get that raw, onstage power across without over-polishing it. The record sounds huge, but you can still hear the grit, the sweat, and the truth of who we are as a band.
The video for “In The Dark” was filmed in Nashville and leans into fun rather than polish. Why was it important to show that playful side of the band?
I’d had that video concept in mind from the minute we recorded the song. I really wanted to show our fun, energetic side—the same vibe we have on tour. We genuinely love what we do and actually enjoy being around each other, so there’s always a lot of laughter. It was great to capture that on camera instead of taking ourselves too seriously.
You’ve worked with some iconic names and recorded at legendary studios like Sonic Ranch. What have those experiences taught you about trusting your instincts?
Honestly, it still blows my mind to think we’ve recorded at places like Sonic Ranch and even having the opportunity to collaborate with artists like Emily Armstrong from Linkin Park. Every so often, I stop and take it all in—it’s such a surreal feeling and something I never want to take for granted. Those experiences have taught me to always trust my gut because the best things that have happened in my career came from following instinct, not overthinking.
Your songwriting often balances swagger with honesty. Has that balance become easier or harder as your audience has grown?
Easier, I think. The bigger the audience gets, the more inspiring it is to feed off that energy. Songwriting for me is honest and therapeutic; I don’t overcomplicate it. I just focus on writing the next song with that mix of raw truth and swagger that feels natural. When fans connect with that, it keeps it flowing.
Coming from Cork, Ireland, and building a strong following in the U.S., do you feel like your identity as an artist has shifted across those worlds?
It’s kind of surreal, to be honest. Touring the U.S. has been incredible—the support and opportunities over there have been amazing, and it’s helped us build such a strong following. But coming home to Cork can be a bit of a reality check. Despite our success across the pond, the media, radio, and touring opportunities here in Ireland are surprisingly hard to come by. It can be frustrating at times, but I try to look at it as motivation to keep pushing forward. Coming home after a long tour also gives me space to reset, spend time with family, and recharge before diving back into it all again.
You’ve released EPs, a full-length LP, and now this single feels particularly direct. How do you decide what each release needs to say?
Honestly, sometimes it feels like the songs choose themselves. The LP was a massive goal for me—it told a full story in one go. The EPs were great for exploring new directions in shorter bursts. Now these singles feel sharper, more focused, like they’re leading up to something bigger. I’m really excited about the next full-length record—it’s coming very soon!
Looking ahead, does “In The Dark” hint at the emotional direction of what’s coming next?
I think it does. Our last album, Devil’s Arms, was all about releasing anger, frustration, and letting go of the demons. The new material still has that emotional intensity, but it’s more hopeful and uplifting—it’s about moving forward, embracing positivity, and finding light in the chaos.
Finally, when listeners hear this song for the first time, what do you hope they recognise in themselves?
I hope they feel the energy and emotion we poured into it, and that it lifts them up even for a few minutes. If it gets stuck in their heads and they share it with a friend, even better! Maybe that’s one step closer to us landing those festival headliners, haha.
