INTRODUCTION
My name is Matt Darcy, an eccentric forty-something photographer, Cicerone Certified Beer Server, and explorer of the further regions of experience. Currently residing in the Boston, MA area.
Often wandering around the New England region of the USA, with a fascination for the weird, macabre, and surreal, I seek out unique locations filled with character, documenting a more dreamlike (and sometimes nightmarish) world with my camera. My adventures often include majestic locations, abandoned properties, craft beer establishments, the strange & unusual, roadside attractions, historical sites, places of agriculture, and select special interests. I am inspired by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, Ernest P. Worrell, Hunter S. Thompson, R. L. Stine, The Three Stooges, the Twilight Zone, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and an array of goofy cartoons.
Since 2006, I have presented dozens of concerts, curated a couple of art exhibits, released music on digital and vinyl formats, and have been an active participant in the international rock, metal, and hardcore scenes via NefariousRealm.com, an entertainment website/production company. In a 2013 interview with James Shotwell of Haulix, a music promotion service company, said: “Nefarious Realm has become a staple of the music community, both regionally and abroad, which in itself a sort of small wonder.” Since then, I have expanded the website to cover a broader array of topics including film, art, and culture – though more recently has been home to my music and concert photography.
Taking photographs of bands performing was my introduction to photography many years ago, somewhere around 2009. Since then, I’ve shot more bands than I can count from tiny dive bars to large arenas, taprooms, and intimate clubs spanning over a hundred venues across 28 US states and 2 Canadian provinces. Some of the bands I have photographed include Tool, Slayer, Slipknot, Circa Survive, Primus, Hawthorne Heights, W.A.S.P., A Perfect Circle, Kreator, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Converge, Napalm Death, Slowdive, Pelican, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Pentagram, Suicidal Tendencies, Chelsea Wolfe, Gojira, Knocked Loose, Ministry, Silverstein, Botch, Meshuggah, Mr. Bungle, Everclear, Baroness, Russian Circles, Underoath, Melvins, Acid Bath, Caspian, Cult of Luna, Bane, and many, many more. Festivals include Decibel Magazine’s Metal & Beer Festival (Philly & Denver), Hopsmokerfest, Milwaukee Metal Fest, Post Festival, RPM Fest, Saddest Day, Somergloom, and Something In The Way.
In 2017, over a 2-day ten-round tournament, I placed 46th out of 52 in the United States ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA) US Open. It was an honor to get almost absolutely crushed by some of the world’s best. It was hosted by Bluegrass Mini Golf at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. The experience was a wonderful view into a very niche sport and opened my eyes to the glorious world of competitive putting.
Nearing completion of the New Hampshire 48 (NH48) – the forty-eight 4,000+ footer mountains in the White Mountains, with fourteen summits remaining, my focus was immediately turned to tracing the entire WMNF trail system. All 1,454 miles. Other nature endeavors include a thru-hike of the 100-mile Midstate Trail in Massachusetts, completed in 2024 over nine days, and stomping around the 8.2-mile Middlesex Fells Reservation Skyline Trail Loop as a normal routine. In the immediate future, I am hoping to attempt thru-hikes of the Massachusetts section of the Appalachian Trail, Cranberry Lake Loop and the infamous Devil’s Path in New York, and section hikes of the Long Trail in Vermont, among other trails and treks.
During the warmer months in 2025, the quest to collect them all began. I’m talking about birding. While having taken shots of birds while on nature strolls and hikes in the past, were just by circumstance of witnessing the bird, having keeping an eye out for wildlife in general. Nowadays, I will explore places intentionally looking for specific birds to add to the “Life List” and birding now influences adventures and trip destinations. There are roughly 1,100 species of birds documented in North America, I have roughly 60 photographed. A gallery is currently being built.
You become unafraid of death when you spend your time with ghosts.
I am available for tour.
IN THE MEDIA
2024 – Vox & Hops Podcast – Episode #447: Podcast conversation about beer and music photography.
2020 – The Seed Cast – Episode #006: Podcast conversation about photos and adventuring.
2019 – Boston Voyager – Art & Life Interview.
2016 – Decibel Magazine – A chat about Vile, an art exhibit paying homage to Cannibal Corpse.
2013 – Haulix – A talk with James Shotwell discussing Nefarious Realm.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Music – Release Credits:
Pelican
2025
International Tour Date flyer photograph.
Russian Circles
2025
Autumn Tour flyer photograph.
Glacier – “Sand Bitten Lungs” from the album ‘A Distant, Violent Shudder‘
2024 (Post Recordings / Wolves & Vibrancy Records)
Still photography for the music video.
Worshipper – ‘One Way Trip‘
2024 (Magnetic Records)
Inner panel/Sleeve portrait photograph.
Glassing – “Circle Down” from the album ‘From the Other Side of the Mirror‘
2024 (Pelagic Records)
Music video footage.
Leather Lung – ‘Graveyard Grin‘
2024 (Magnetic Eye Records)
Back cover portrait photograph.
Pelican – ‘For Your Entertainment‘
2023 (Numero Group)
Album cover photograph.
The Electric Heaters – ‘From the Film of the Same Name‘
2022 (Independent)
Inner panel band portrait photograph.
Lesser Glow – ‘Nullity‘
2020 (Pelagic Records)
Album cover, inner panels, and back cover photographs.
Pelican – ‘Live at The Grog Shop‘
2020 (Independent)
Album cover photograph.
Widow Sunday – ‘Parallax‘
2019 (Independent)
Album cover photograph.
Music – Studio Documentary:
Lesser Glow – “LG3”
Recording sessions at New Alliance Studios in Somerville, MA. 2024
Fallen Monarch – ‘Turmoil’
Recording sessions at the Brick HitHouse on Cape Cod, MA. 2021
Trading Heroes for Ghosts – ‘Endings in Screaming Cadence’
Recording sessions at the Brick HitHouse on Cape Cod, MA. 2021
Widower – ‘Alone As A God’
Recording sessions at GodCity Studios in Salem, MA and the Noise Floor in Nashua, NH. 2021
Lesser Glow – ‘Nullity’
Recording sessions at Columbus Theater in Providence, RI and New Alliance Studios in Somerville, MA. 2019
Music – Tour Documentary:
Pelican – supporting Russian Circles (2025)
Seventeen dates throughout the Midwest and West Coast supporting their latest album ‘Flickering Resonance.’
Glassing – supporting Morne and Author & Punisher (2024)
Ten dates circling the Northeast a few dates in Canada, then back through the Midwest, supporting their latest album ‘From the Other Side of the Mirror.’
Actor Observer – Northeast March Tour (2023)
Five dates circling the Northeast, supporting their latest album ‘Songs For The Newly Reclusive.’
Beverage & Food:
Amory’s Tomb Brewing Co.
Bone Up Brewing Co.
Deadless Elixir
Pizza Project
Short Path Distillery
Triple Crown Coffee
Widowmaker Brewing