The Blackening

When I first saw the name on Roadrunner's picks for the best album covers to come out of the record I was interested. I knew Machine Head from Unto the Locust but had not heard of this one before, so I googled it. Seeing the album cover got me quickly intrigued, it gives me medieval auras, akin to what we might see come out of the 'Black Death' outbreak in terms of art. Seeing this I decided that it was my just do to check out the album and see if the music lived up to the album cover.

The album opens with a long 10-minute track which at first has a soft build up before jumping into the thrashy-grove style that Machine Head was going for in this era. The instruments are clean and keep up the energy meaning that even if it is a rather long track to start off with it doesn't get boring, and that chorus bangs incredibly hard. The changes in groove and energy throughout the track, as well as the bass popping up into the foreground every now and then gave more impact to the more aggressive and potent parts of the song. The guitar solo here separates the first half of a more standard lyrical structure from the second half where Robb brings in more repetitive segments. The drop back down into a more soft and melodic part, similar to how the song started off, was also very well placed and appreciated. Overall, a good start to the album that doesn't get too reparative nor overstay it's welcome.

The next track comes in with an aggressively thrashy and groovy beat which fades into a soft and cleanly sung chorus which sounds not only well for the song but also has a real charismatic charm to it. The switch back and forth to that original groove with the more cleanly sung verse and bit where the bass gets to punch in before the solo keeps up the energy the song delivers. Just like the opening track is mixes in harsher and lighter vocal tones, which delivering a good and solid groove behind it.

Afterwards comes arguably the most famous song from the album 'Aesthetics of Hate' a song with very potent aggressive and groovy drums, with very thrashy and complimentary riffs, especially the part leading up before the solo. Knowing the history behind the lyrics, a song written to defend the honour of Dimebag Darrel, adds another level to the listening. You can really notice the anger in the vocals as well as appreciate the soloing which brings a temporary period of relative peace before it starts again. (Plus, the ending with 'May the hands of God strike the down' in both whispered, melodic, and shouted tones is a great way to close it.) Another banger in the album lineup.

After that song we get another song with a beautifully charming intro before getting back into the thrashy-grove this album delivers. Though this song features more sung verses in comparison to the shouted chorus, it also goes in and out of this heavy riddled groove riff which is prime headbanging material. The solo again breaks the song in two, with post solo returning to the shouted vocals with new riffs getting thrown in their both heavy and operatic. The song ends on a mix of clean and shouted singing in a way that seems just right.

The next four songs being 'Slanderous', 'Halo', 'Wolves', and 'A Farewell to Arms' all cover some pretty wide ranges. From the outward aggression and more harsh tones on Slanderous and Wolves to the more soft and melodic elements on Halo and A Farewell to Arms, they continue the pattern of mixing the two styles into the album. The lyrics seemed very charged from topics such as hatred of others and oneself, focusing on the concept and idealization of winning, and then into more political leaning lyrics shadowing both religion and the war in Iraq. These are a set of solid songs which fit well into the album, they don't necessarily stand out too much to me (though Slanderous and A Farewell to Arms are close) but they don't feel like filler and contribute just fine to the album.

The album ends with a cover of Iron Maiden's 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' and Metallica's 'Battery'. Though these aren't originals I think they fit the album just fine, they play on the dynamics of the soft-harsh tones found on it as well as loosely overing subjects the other songs had touched upon. Just like how the cover of Painkiller was a fitting way to end out Death's 'The Sound of Perseverance' I think these fit well to close out this overall great album.

Though there was nothing in this album which I haven't heard before, from the topics to the thrash and groove elements, to the switches in vocal delivery, I don't think that takes away from it. Why it might not be revolutionary, for what it represents it fits it very well. Though I don't really pay attention to the band at all I feel like it doesn't take an allegiance to the band to understand this is a great work of art.

I would highly recommend checking this out if you have the 73 minutes to spare. If you like a combination of vocal styles, groovy and thrashy riffs with great guitar tones, and solid drumming this album should be on your list.

Favorite track(s): Clenching the Fists of Dissent, Aesthetics of Hate, Now I Lay Thee Down