Black Mask - Lost Below 7" (2014)

Black Mask is from Pennsylvania, and they're not happy.

Artwork: The graphics offered here are much more complex than their previous release (self-titled 7"). Where the first release's artwork was simple in its ferocity - a pretty gnarly wolf/hound, angry past the point of reason - this one is much deeper and requires at least a few more seconds to take in. The sadder, grimmer feel represents perfectly the progression of the sound of the band from their first release to this one.

Structure: Each of the seven songs deals with a different subject, and while Lost Below is not quite in concept album territory, there is a strong theme of struggle throughout. The songs are easily identifiable by as individual songs. Oh, and if the end of Torment doesn't make you want to stomp a hole through a cement wall, check your pulse.

Sound: This is where Black Mask shines through - or rather, envelopes all light in a poisonous shroud of blinding darkness. I have heard more discussions about this band's guitar tone than about any other band, ever. The wall of high-gain distortion ripping through every song is enough in itself to gain a listener's full attention, but that combined with breakneck drumming and nasty vocals spewing every hatred and insecurity a modern hardcore kid could have, and it's all over. The incredible speed of their self-titled is still present, but the overall tone of the album is much more ominous, more brooding, and somehow more vicious than before. Each song taps into a vein that every person listening to it would identify with - and then digs in hard. The sadness is real, the struggle is real, and this is the album to let it out to. The tightness of their self-titled is also still present. Every transition, every passage, every thrashing beat is dead-on, straight-ahead, no apologies whatsoever. This thing starts, and it goes straight through anything in front of it, because it is simply pissed. Overall sound gets an A+.

Significant Facts: PRE-ORDER ENDS FEB. 4TH! That is three (3) days and there are not many left. Link is at the bottom. You're welcome.

For Fans Of: Narratives, Axis, Nails, Full of Hell

Favorite Lyrics: I let my anguish devour me
My way out
Forsaken, forgotten, this cannot be true
I'll let my hatred devour you
I am digging my own grave

Favorite Track: Tormented

1. Extinction
2. Tormented
3. Loss
4. Hollow Soul
5. Judgement
6. Profound Illusion

Rating: 7 / 10

Pre-Order (ENDS FEB. 4TH): Cold Cuts Merch
Merch: StoreEnvy
Listen: Get This Right Records /// bandcamp
Follow: facebook

-Brian