Black Emerald
We were recently contacted by Simon from Reading based Black Emerald about their new EP. Featuring 4 original songs and a 5th from Annihilator (oh hell yes) in the form of King of the Kill, the guys are setting out to take over the world with their hard rock/metal style. Describing themselves as ‘a band, with some musics, and we is gon play dem musics and you is here dem musics and be like dayum dem sum musiks’, I thought it was best just to let the music do the talking!
Opening with Towering Inferno I found myself immediately pulled into the music, a spoken line courtesy of George W Bush about the 911 tracks over a sludgy backing track leading the way. Kicking into a funky riff laden track full of gravelly vocals, hammering bass lines and pounding drums. 25 seconds of permanent pain leads into a catchy chorus and before long you find yourself nodding along and throwing out some mad air guitar shapes – this is some good stuff! I really like the way the chorus adopts the funky beat which is bound to get live shows jumping, whilst the chorus section almost slows things down but gets you singing along. Alternating between the spoken line and the unrelenting metal goodness you can’t help but want to know what is going to come next, the band always keeping you on your toes for what is going to follow. Guitar solos, bass rhythms and hammering drums – this is the Reading equivalent of Kernuyck – these boys need to get down here and tour with the Cornish version – it would be epic!
Drown In The River picks up exactly where the last track leaves off, opening with a sturdy ‘HUH’ before throwing another funk laden riff in your face for you to check out – once again this is music which is going to get you moving and jumping about the place. Another catchy chorus is soon upon you and before long you’re fully immersed in the mix going on, this has to be a band which slays on the live scene! Isolation seems to back up this statement, featuring Martin Osterhaug and once again hammering onwards like a deranged freight train. The beat is kept steadier here which only seems to accentuate the heavy raw power of the track. I love the riff hammering away in the background of this track, using some palm mute on the guitar and keeping the drums simple to make this one which you’re going to hear, turn the speakers up, crack out the guitar and play along. Throwing in some lead snippets for good measure, what you’ve got here is further evidence of a band set on domination, and I think they may well achieve it.
Closing the selection with Dr Stein (the cover can’t be on FB until they’ve got permission), I found myself left with no doubt that this is a band I have to get out there and see live. There’s so much energy running through the music here which you can picture crowds simply lapping up and going crazy to. Keeping the sound fairly classic at times, whilst still adding in a fresh element to proceedings, this is probably my personal favourite track from the selection. The chorus is the highlight of the track without a doubt, layering everything up to create a massive sound which doesn’t let you go until the moment it is absolutely ready to do so!
Black Emerald have been just that, something precious which you discover and want to hear more of! The tracks here demonstrate that they’re a band who have got clear influences, but aren’t afraid to add their own take to proceedings. Based on what I’ve heard I’ll be expecting to hear much more from these guys over the coming months, they’re one of those sorts of bands which has got a sound which works on a lot of levels, and I think a lot of people are going to enjoy it!
To find out more about Black Emerald, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with Towering Inferno I found myself immediately pulled into the music, a spoken line courtesy of George W Bush about the 911 tracks over a sludgy backing track leading the way. Kicking into a funky riff laden track full of gravelly vocals, hammering bass lines and pounding drums. 25 seconds of permanent pain leads into a catchy chorus and before long you find yourself nodding along and throwing out some mad air guitar shapes – this is some good stuff! I really like the way the chorus adopts the funky beat which is bound to get live shows jumping, whilst the chorus section almost slows things down but gets you singing along. Alternating between the spoken line and the unrelenting metal goodness you can’t help but want to know what is going to come next, the band always keeping you on your toes for what is going to follow. Guitar solos, bass rhythms and hammering drums – this is the Reading equivalent of Kernuyck – these boys need to get down here and tour with the Cornish version – it would be epic!
Drown In The River picks up exactly where the last track leaves off, opening with a sturdy ‘HUH’ before throwing another funk laden riff in your face for you to check out – once again this is music which is going to get you moving and jumping about the place. Another catchy chorus is soon upon you and before long you’re fully immersed in the mix going on, this has to be a band which slays on the live scene! Isolation seems to back up this statement, featuring Martin Osterhaug and once again hammering onwards like a deranged freight train. The beat is kept steadier here which only seems to accentuate the heavy raw power of the track. I love the riff hammering away in the background of this track, using some palm mute on the guitar and keeping the drums simple to make this one which you’re going to hear, turn the speakers up, crack out the guitar and play along. Throwing in some lead snippets for good measure, what you’ve got here is further evidence of a band set on domination, and I think they may well achieve it.
Closing the selection with Dr Stein (the cover can’t be on FB until they’ve got permission), I found myself left with no doubt that this is a band I have to get out there and see live. There’s so much energy running through the music here which you can picture crowds simply lapping up and going crazy to. Keeping the sound fairly classic at times, whilst still adding in a fresh element to proceedings, this is probably my personal favourite track from the selection. The chorus is the highlight of the track without a doubt, layering everything up to create a massive sound which doesn’t let you go until the moment it is absolutely ready to do so!
Black Emerald have been just that, something precious which you discover and want to hear more of! The tracks here demonstrate that they’re a band who have got clear influences, but aren’t afraid to add their own take to proceedings. Based on what I’ve heard I’ll be expecting to hear much more from these guys over the coming months, they’re one of those sorts of bands which has got a sound which works on a lot of levels, and I think a lot of people are going to enjoy it!
To find out more about Black Emerald, check out their Facebook page HERE.