⋘Recorded in April 2012 at Very Tight Recordings and released on the first of June under a self-titled title, Pennsylvania-based hardcore/grind band BLACK MASK unleashed one hell of a debut 7-track effort! "Agony" ideally exemplifies the groove oriented, devastating wall of sound created by the band from the beginning to the very end of the EP. The album transitions from ultra fast-paced punk inspired grind to slower moments of head banging groove coupled with absurdly wild hooks & memorable moments of melody.

Visit BLACK MASK's bandcamp site to hear the other six tracks and make sure to support the artist if you dig their music; the asking price for purchase in a variety of formats - from lossless to MP3 and plenty in between - is only $3 USD. Can't wait to hear what Black Mask hits us with next!!⋙

◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ BAND BIOGRAPHY & INFORMATION ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

"Western PA hardcore band Black Mask recently announced a whole shit-load of tour dates for October and November here (on a related note, you can find dates for August and September here). I thought that was as good a reason as any to download the self-titled EP this relatively new group released back in June and give it a listen. Doing so damn near left me a broken, bloodied mess, but I’m glad for the experience.

Black Mask’s music is as dark, straightforward and sinister as the imagery the group’s moniker conjures up. The saturnine album art and nihilistic lyrics add to the almost black metal-esque atmosphere of relentless funereal gloom. This is bleak stuff, kids. If the Grim Reaper were a mosh-pit warrior, his band of choice might very well be Black Mask.

“My eyes, they close / No words are spoke / My breath has froze / My death unfolds / It’s all clear.” So go the lyrics to track #4, “Death Unfolds.” Not some of the lyrics. All of ‘em. See? I told you it was bleak stuff. There are no symbolic narratives or emotional arcs to be found here, just blunt evocations of death, destruction and hate.

Forgoing the gothic trope of romanticizing the moribund, Black Mask instead seems intent to capture the brutality/reality of death in all its brusque, uncompromising ugliness. “There’s no ethereal ending / This bed is my tomb,” frontman Michael Stello screams on track #5, “Agony.” It’s an atheist’s interpretation of the afterlife, all wormy rot and barren finality.

Of course, the land of the living ain’t much prettier in the eyes of these misanthropes. On track #4, “The Greys,” Stello laments that “We have all lost our innocence / Looking back is a waste of time.” The worldview is a harsh one (even for a hardcore band), and it doesn’t stop with the lyrics.

Hardcore music is always aggressive (to say the least), but Black Mask takes things to another level, integrating elements of crust and grind along with other nasty, niche sub genres. Throughout, crushing guitar riffs brood with doom-metal meanness while high-pitched, intentionally dissonant noise-rock squeals ‘n’ whines give the album a kind of caustic cruelty that almost makes you wonder if Black Mask really does want to make its audience members suffer just for being alive.

This album is a short listen, all totaled clocking in at less than 10 minutes. Nevertheless, it leaves its mark. The assault is fast and fierce, the auditory equivalent of being jumped in a dirty alley in the middle of the night and beaten senseless, your attackers gone before you even know what hit you. If you survive the experience, it might just toughen you up. It might also burn away your faith in mankind, right down to the bone.

If that sounds like too much for you, do yourself a favor and stick to the light. For those interested in hazarding a quick sprint through the valley of the shadow of death, meanwhile, Black Mask is more than willing to be your guide."

Source: 570minefire.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/review-black-mask-black-mask/


BLACK MASK:

Michael Stello
Tyler Long
Brayden Murray
Justin Shirey


BAND CONTACT INFO / PRESS / INQUIRIES:
blackmaskpa@gmail.com


BOOKING CONTACT:
blackmaskbooking@gmail.com