Spinefarm is proud to announce the signing of hypnotically heavy BLACK MAP to its roster. Having formed in 2014 from the bands Dredg, Far, and The Trophy Fire, BLACK MAP has generated critical acclaim from the press as well as their musician peers.
Pivoting around a nimble balance of post-hardcore, alternative, and hard rock, the trio of vocalist and bassist Ben Flanagan, guitarist Mark Engles, and drummer Chris Robyn convene, congregate, and commune to power up BLACK MAP. Their union teems with emotion and electricity—which the musicians harness to craft immediate and raucous anthems underscored by unpredictable musicality and undeniable hooks.
To celebrate the signing announcement, BLACK MAP shares their first new music in over two years entitled, “Disintegrate,” alongside a visualiser.
About the track, the band comments:
“Our vision for the song was for it to be super immediate and just slam from the first hit. It made sense for us as our first release in a couple of years to just have something that really hits from second one.”
“It’s a song about persevering through whatever is holding you back. Not running away from it; facing it head on.”
BLACK MAP has two US festival appearances this fall: Louder Than Life on September 29th in Louisville, KY and Aftershock on October 11th in Sacramento, CA.
“We started this band with a great sense of communication,” notes Ben. “So, the interplay between us has stayed consistent. We see the potential in the ideas we each bring to the table, and we know what we’re collectively capable of.”
The guys have been on the same page since day one. The players had respectively come up in other bands, with Mark in Dredg, Chris in Far, and Ben in The Trophy Fire. However, they unlocked a distinct sound upon forming BLACK MAP during 2014.
They captivated with ‘…And We Explode’ [2014], ‘In Droves’ [2017], and ‘Melodoria’ [2022]. PROG hailed ‘In Droves’ as “a punchy and thrilling collection of songs” and Westworld applauded ‘Melodoria’ for its “catchy tunes with enough pop sensibility for radio play but with the technical prowess one would expect from a post-hardcore band.”
Along the way, the Northern California group tallied tens of millions of streams fueled by favorites such as “Run Rabbit Run,” “Gold,” and “No Color,” among others.
To sum it up, their energy proves uncontainable and with Spinefarm’s stellar partnership, look for so much more to come from BLACK MAP in the very near future.
BLACK MAP are:
Ben Flanagan – vocals, bass
Mark Engles – guitar
Chris Robyn – drums
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About Spinefarm:
Spinefarm represents some of the biggest and most important rock acts in the world. Founded in Finland in 1990, the label established itself as an independent powerhouse for successful European metal acts from Nightwish to Children Of Bodom. Acquired by UMG in 2002, Spinefarm Music Group is now home to a host of artists that reach millions of fans across the globe and showcases the very best in rock, punk, and metal. From massive metal names such as Bullet For My Valentine (with over 3 billion streams to their name) to alt-rock legends Killing Joke and genre-benders Sleep Token, Spinefarm’s artists are – and always have been – true leaders in their chosen field. The roster also includes renowned names like Atreyu, Airbourne, Saint Asonia, and While She Sleeps as well as fast-rising young artists like Dayseeker, Dead Poet Society, Kid Kapichi, BRKN LOVE, and Creeper. Spinefarm, now flanked by associated SMG labels Candlelight (Emperor, Ihsahn, Urne) and Snakefarm (Marty Stuart, Austin Meade, The White Buffalo), has grown from its independent origins into a true global rock powerhouse.
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Photo credit: Carlos Almanza