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Black Map - And We Explode - 12 Track Album - Minus Head Records - Released 27th October 2014
Black Map
And We Explode
12 Track Album
Minus Head Records
Released 27th October 2014
And they did! - Out now!
Written for Metal Gods Meltdown
Black Map – San Francisco
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/blackmapmusic
Listen here:
https://blackmapmusic.bandcamp.com/
Co-produced by Black Map and Aaron Hellam
Mixed by Aaron Hellam
Mastered by John Scrip MASSIVE MASTERING, Chicago
Art Design by Malcom Steward
Cover Photo by Mark Engles
Booklet photos by Sven Wiederholt & Mark Engles
Booklet Photography by Getty Images
Genre: Alternative/Hard Rock/Metal
Biography:
“Among its ranks, Black Map includes vocalist/bassist Ben Flanagan [Trophy Fire], guitarist Mark Engles [Dredg], and drummer Chris Robyn [Far]. It's a formidable three-piece that creates equally formidable music, elegantly striking that elusive balance between heavy and beautiful. On their full-length debut for minus HEAD Records, And We Explode, Black Map charters new territory for its members and rocks hard. Within a month of their first jam session, the trio hit Hellam Sound in Oakland with producer Aaron Hellam on board. They cut their independent Driver E.P and went on to support Chevelle on tour playing various shows with the likes of ††† (Crosses), Tombs, Pelican, and Kill Devil Hill. In early 2014, they inked a deal with minus HEAD. Now, the band are primed to make a massive impact!”
Black Map
Code
Well I wasn’t expecting that slab of metal to come and hit me like a ten ton piece of lead for sure! Full of attitude and swagger, the thumping grooves pulverise with a harsh embrace. Just try not to respond to the flanks of rhythms exuded here it’s impossible! It does taper to a more balanced ambient level but it still holds plenty of rugged appeal – Great track!
Chinaski
The thrilling Ignatius bites are heavily laced with solid rhythm and antagonistic flare. It stirs with a clean but heavy vocal delivery and nestles cosily on the ears with gnawing chugs.
I’m just the Driver
This is shrill and unyielding with heaps of power laden riffs filled with an intense brooding. Intimidating and gathering weight very quickly within its rhythms, and holds an ambient structure that cries out with urgency.
Gold
Pumping an eager entourage of seduction along with a shriller vocal, although not as heavy it is still a pleasant track that protrudes with hearty lures and holds its own!
And we explode Part 1
An ambient stride in the wilderness is one way to describe it. Holding punchy rhythmic qualities and hard edged beats it takes command and swiftly offers a riveting heavy listen that pulsates with chunky riffs and solid bass hooks! Superb!
Eyes on the Prize
A chilling rapturous start is followed by an ambient back drop of sultry endeavour. The magnetic pull draws you into it with an eager calling. Outlined by the vocal and squally riffs it may be slow but it has bite and plenty of it!
Melee
Back to the heavy groove and malignant core of its creativity. The haze of passions embrace with gripping hooks and steely melodic recipe that hold a salivating appeal.
Head for the Hills
Basking in its heavy structure to open it quickly twists into a slower rhythm but the heavy charged edge is not far behind and makes an appearance before turning slower again, however although it's a quality I normally hate this somehow has won me over.
Gemini
Rampaging and solid it knows how to shake rattle and roll, although it sounds quite punk from where I am sitting. It parades itself to tempered drumming and a sonic guitar riff with an urgent sounding vocal.
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"Great album, great music, Great band, and plenty of diversity – need I say more?”
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Stranger
Showing off its diverse side this track bristles with ambiance and a hypnotic rhythm that lures with intent. Its melodic expression engages with strange angular noises and then coaxes you with passionate seduction – really unusual track indeed.
Ropes
This carves out a riveting pathway of super charged rhythm and tempting vocals that mold perfectly to the evocative swathe of predatory beats. It harvests a healthy seed that flourishes and offers a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
"Let's tie our ropes together, so tight they never sever!"
And we explode Part 2
Hitting the ears with an eerie ambiance and ghostly vocal it seduces with temptation and primal lust that is alluring. It drifts, ebbs and flows in all the right directions to hypnotise.
Summary
This is one powerful album that although, not altogether a blistering rampage is cool, interesting and intriguing. The balance is electric!
To the most part it bristles with ambiance by the bucket load and coaxes seductively making it more of a chill out album, although there is no getting away from those heavy rhythms that also appeal.
With smidgens of punk in among its towering structures and catchy, punchy overtones mixed with ambiance and haunting tendencies – this is a blend that works extremely well!
Also to be noted are the clever sing along lyrics like “Lets tie our ropes together, so tight they never sever!” done to a pulverising beat – it’s definitely a superb track that warrants several plays at very least! Reminds me a bit of Placebo, although Black Map are a law unto themselves.
Great album, great music, Great band, and plenty of diversity – need I say more?
9½/10
Track List:
Code
Chinaski
I’m just the Driver
Gold
And we explode Part 1
Eyes on the Prize
Melee
Head for the Hills
Gemini
Stranger
Ropes
And we explode Part 2
Members:
Ben Flanagan – Vocals/Bass
Mark Engles – Guitar
Chris Robyn - Drums
Posted by Pagan Tordengrav Reviews..
