World-renowned composer, arranger and recording artist John Metcalfe released his long awaited third album “A Darker Sunset” on Big Chill Recordings in July 2008. “ A Darker Sunset” joins a sequence of outstanding releases, from his the critically acclaimed debut “The Inner Line” and the follow up “Scorching Bay”.

John Metcalfe grew up in New Zealand and came to the UK at the age of 10, which is also when he started playing the viola. Raised on a dual-mono diet of Kraftwerk and Joy Division this band influenced his move north-west where he joined cult band The Durutti Column, who were signed to Factory Records. He later convinced Tony Wilson to set up Factory Classical, signing himself as part of The Duke Quartet, and A & R’ing Steve Martland and Rolf Hind.

His work as an arranger includes Morrisey’s no1 solo album “Viva Hate” and he is one of the UK’s top string arrangers working with artists such as Simple Minds, The Corrs, Blur and Catatonia. His debut cd “The Inner Line” was described by Billboard as “the ideal item for classical fans wanting to investigate a pop leaning, contemporary sound world or for electronica fans who crave far more musicality than they’re used to getting.”

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"A solo debut that crosses all manner of boundaries. Melding avant-pop and electronica, film music and contemporary classical..."
Billboard Magazine