Written By Kevin McSweeney
I can only apologise for my tardiness in reviewing this recent release. What can I say? My inbox is stuffed to the gunwales and I didn’t get this fat by not being lazy.
As a result, I nearly missed this new EP from Watford-based bruisers BlackMarket. It was released independently on May 29th, so it’s more of a rear view than a radical view on my part, but better late than never, I suppose.
They are described in the press release as “genre-bending metallers”. Their sound is depicted as being: “rooted in nu-metal groove but sharpened by modern aggression,” combining: “…pounding rhythms, deep synth layers and anthemic vocals to craft a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-facing.”
I’m not sure I agree about the vocals. When I think of anthemic vocal performances, I think of Freddie Mercury at Live Aid. I don’t mean this as a criticism of Fraser Burrow’s abilities on the mic. Far from it, in fact. It’s just that we’re talking about a very different kind of approach here.
As for the genre-bending business, it’s hard to disagree. They cover a lot of ground in a short space of time, with the EP lasting just over 12 minutes. I appreciate that level of succinctness and precision in a recording. As for what kind of ground they cover, let’s go through it track-by-track and find out.
Asphyxiate (Explicit)
We have a jaunty little bit of electronic music to start with, which is juxtaposed with the disturbing sample referencing blunt-force trauma to the body and head, with the cause of death being asphyxiation.
This intro gives way to pummeling hardcore/metalcore/nu metal/I’m not entirely sure. It reminds me in certain respects of Code Orange’s Swallowing The Rabbit Whole.
I think it’s the screechy harmonics more than anything. That and the occasional resort to programmed beats. Having said that, the arpeggiated riffs wouldn’t have been out of place in 1990s alternative rock.
It’s an intense vocal performance throughout and there’s some intricate augmentations to the riffs played over a solid mid-paced groove. It’s a relatively short song at 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
As I mentioned earlier, I appreciate a band who don’t mess around unduly. I’m not sure about “explicit” being added to the title in parentheses, though. It’s angry metal music; a bit of cursing isn’t exactly uncommon.
Bleed
This isn’t a cover of the famous Meshuggah song that I suspect might actually be fatal to 90-odd percent of drummers who attempt to play it.
Instead, we have an opening riff that threatens to bring Nirvana’s School upon us, before transforming immediately into rap metal.
The vocals are delivered with a kind of sandpaper-throated snarl that makes the performance much more like that of, say, Bonz (formerly) of Stuck Mojo than, say, Mike Shinoda.
There’s a strong element of industrial metal with those unnerving synths also. The faster, more abrasive parts are reminiscent of Strapping Young Lad with the mighty Gene Hoglan at the helm.
When you’re talking about nu-metal with an industrial edge, it’s difficult not to reference Static X, and the comparison wouldn’t be entirely unwarranted.
Red on White
Techno is very much to the fore on this one, with a slight similarity to No Good (Start The Dance) by The Prodigy.
That particular comparison might seem like a lazy one for any music that combines dance music with metal, but I’m old enough to remember when Utah Saints sampled Slayer, and I could have gone there.
As the track goes on, I start to hear elements of Fear Factory’s Freedom or Fire in there, which is certainly no bad thing.
The raps continue to be delivered with larynx-lacerating gusto. It’s an enthralling performance, but I’m still not having anthemic.
Whereas the guitars, bass and drums being in perfect lockstep for those staccato machine gun bursts towards the end would get you right in the pit of your stomach in a live setting.
Radical Views
It would be tempting to mention turbulent recent events in relation to a song, and indeed EP, called Radical Views, but that’s all far too depressing, so I’m going to resist the urge. Instead, let’s concentrate on what the title track offers musically.
And what it offers at first is a brief burst of slasher movie synths, followed by a pummeling blast of groove metal riffs and beats with a full-blooded rap delivery that once again brings Stuck Mojo to mind. (I’m talking about the classic 1990s Stuck Mojo, to be clear.
The modern iteration thereof leaves me cold.) The sporadic bass drum patterns might evoke murmurings about metalcore, and the machine gun breakdown would certainly add credence to such claims.
Once again, that one will get you in the guts live. The song then fades out with EDM synths over snarling riffs, and the whole thing is thus wrapped up with me wanting more. That’s the way to do it, chaps!
So, there ends a promising EP. It’s not their first, following on as it does from the Cursed EP, but it’s an emphatic statement from a band in the process of establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the UK metal scene.
In summary, this is a brief but eclectic offering from a band who don’t fuck around but might just fuck you up, metaphorically speaking, of course.
I apologise again for the time it took to review this EP. I hope it was worth the wait. A full-length album almost certainly will be.
Metal Lair awards the Radical Views EP by BlackMarket four and a half devil horns out of five.
Track listing:
1. Asphyxiate (Explicit)
2. Bleed
3. Red on White
4. Radical Views
BlackMarket are:
Fraser Burrow – Vocals
Danny Leigh – Lead Guitar
Scott Turnley – Bass
Hadleigh Wade – Drums
Cary Leigh – Synth
BLACKMARKET RADICAL ONLINE:
About The Author
Kevin McSweeney is Metal Lair’s resident scribe of the underground, eternally rummaging through the global metal scene for riffs worth your time.
As the guiding hand behind Seven Deadly Songs every Friday, he has an uncanny knack for finding the track you didn’t know you needed, usually before finishing his pint.
Equal parts loyal, kind, and quietly razor-witted, Kevin brings deep knowledge, impeccable taste, and a steady, reliable presence to Metal Lair.
Read More From This Author:
Album Review: In The Dark Before The Dawn by On Borrowed Time
ERDVE – EPIGRAMA REVIEW: LITHUANIAN SLUDGE METAL AT ITS MOST CRUSHING
Impure Wilhelmina – Le Sanglot Review Melancholy & Post Hardcore Beauty
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