Embedded Files
BLACK SITES “The Promised Land?”
BLACK SITES “The Promised Land?”
By Lord Randall
Roughly three years after “Untrue”, BLACK SITES returns with fourth album, “The Promised Land?”.
Don’t let the fact that the band’s now trimmed to a trio worry you, as opener, “Descent” sets the standard, robust and ready, the lyric “Cometh now the punishment for sins of yesterday / for those who lie, how many times betrayed?” laying a dark tone. Founding guitarist/vocalist Mark Sugar’s vocal range is firmly entrenched in the mid-range, so those in search of vocal gymnastics or histrionics may initially be put off, but for fans of equally melodic bands such as SOUND & SHAPE and “Parallels”-era FATES WARNING, there’s much to enjoy.
“Dread Tomorrow” continues the shadowed theme of much of the album, moments of STRYPER’s speedier material (think “The Way”, “More Than A Man”) exude class, new skinsman Brandon White clearly an excellent choice, his snapmare rhythms not overplaying, serving the song above all, but adding enough flourishes ‘n’ fills to satisfy the ProgPower USA fest devotees. Oh, and side note, the first of two guest appearances is found here, with none other than Matt Johnsen of sonic cousins PHAROAH laying down a fiery solo.
After the powerful balladry of “Gideon” (those harmonies!), “World On Fire” steps up the tempo, riffs courtesy Sugar and Ryan Bruchert galloping over the solid foundation laid by White. The second guest performer arrives for ‘Chasing Eternity’, this being Tom Draper of SPIRIT ADRIFT, adding an extra layer of thickness to an album already full of heft, something not often found in this style.
A word on song arrangement; while many in the prog-influenced community equate song length with the worthiness of the song itself to be called “prog”, where BLACK SITES has always succeeded is in keeping its tunes by and large around the 5-6-minute mark, yet by moving around enough within such “abbreviated” constraints as to keep the material vibrant, energetic and – above all – interesting. Hence, the nearly 12-minute “The Promised Land” displays a band capable of challenging itself and its listeners.
And that, right there, is the mark of a truly good band, and of an album sure to stand the test of time. To those lucky enough to hear it, “The Promised Land?” will reveal BLACK SITES as not only worthy contenders, but a band that, with any justice, will be soon snapped up by a label like Cruz del Sur Music, and given the distribution and exposure they deserve.
Report abuse