Devil's Gate Music
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“Besides being the title track (sort of), “Monochrome” is the centerpiece of our new record, containing many of the elements that make up the Black Sites sound. We hope you enjoy hearing this track as much as we enjoy playing it.” The 10-track album opens with the elegiac piano interlude “M Fisto Waltz,” which eventually lunges for the jugular with lacerating guitars. In Monochrome’s first official track, “Dead Languages,” unfurls the album’s manifesto of musical intent. Packed within its 5:23 minutes the band traverse Sabbath-y grooves, agile progressive rock drums, Thin Lizzy-esque guitar harmonies, sinister guttural vocals, and soaring melodic vocals. Other album standouts include “Hunter/Gatherer,” “Burning Away The Day,” and “Locked Out – Shut Down.” “Hunter/Gatherer” opens with a darkly classical acoustic guitar figure and plaintive, clean vocals. It’s a storyteller song that uses dramatic dynamics to convey the narrative. Within the epic are slight nods to vintage Mercyful Fate, Trouble and Queensrÿche. “Burning Away The Day” is an instrumental tour de force with savage 1970s hard rock drums and fleet-fingered guitar solo playing that explodes with classical melodicism and proto-shred flash. The relentless pummel of “Locked Out – Shut Down” evinces Sugar’s thrash roots. As anticipation builds for the band, and Black Sites releases its debut long player and plays its first shows ever, Sugar is reflective. After all, in the span of a year he’s gone from no band to a new band with an irresistible old school aesthetic. “I remember driving in my car listening to the final album and just feeling so relieved and excited to hear these songs come to life,” he says. “I learned a lot during this time. I learned how to keep an open mind and stay focused. I feel like this is the best thing I’ve ever done.” Pre-order through Mascot Label Group]]>
