BLAK29 - THE WAITING (REVIEW, RELEASED 3/3/23, CLEOPATRA RECORDS, HORROR PUNK, METAL, ROCK n ROLL)
A final drop from the Bog Pool archives, which was lost in the mud. Bog has updated and adapted it for the Bog Stenchmare.
The Waiting shakes things up with a solid slash of pulsating rock and roll with horror punk. The drums, a point to remember, instantly grabbed Bog's attention during the introduction of Blackout. The vocals really complement the music. It is an infectious fun song mixed with the forementioned horror vibes.
Destroyer followed next and Bog wasn't so crazy on this track,
but cannot fault the musicianship, which is completely on point. It does
continue with the feels from the opening song Blackout, but Bog couldn’t quite
get into this one. The fun cinematic/story atmosphere shines though, another consistent property throughout the entire album, and helps make it special.
Next up is Bleeding Love. Well, Bog's above words were
obliterated because it totally changed his thought process and had them reassessing what he had to say in all honesty. There is a good mix of hard rock
tinged heavy metal containing big riffs with a strong chorus. The tempo is
balanced nicely and is another infectious number from BLAK29. The overall
gothic tone is superb and Bog enjoyed his imagination running loose whilst
listening.
Don’t Mind The Pain continues in the vein of Bleeding Love
and is a good partnership of horror punk and heavy metal. The vocals are
incredibly strong and the drumming again is excellent. End of Days is next and has an interesting mix of grunge, heavy metal, and with an overall 90s feel,
but also holding onto the hard rock vibe. One of the most wide-ranging songs Bog heard on the The Waiting.
Go Go Little One was the only other song Bog didn’t enjoy from
The Waiting and sadly was Bog's least favorite. It has a softer approach and isn’t
as dark as the previous tracks in sound. With that said, Bog can recognise the
high standard with the vocals and musicianship. The obvious factor Bog noticed
throughout the album. Even with the two songs Bog didn’t enjoy, the professional
level of the guitars, vocals, and drums are crystal clear. Not too sound like a
hipster in a coffee store, but you know when you hear some songs you don’t
like, and it’s just bad overall from the instruments, timing, vocals, and
general quality. Well not with BLAK29, they can obviously play and compose
music to a high standard. So, depending on your tastes you may think
differently to Bog concerning Destroyer and Go Go Little One.
I Am Screaming But Nobody's Here. The slow moody gothic atmosphere sets up a patient song, and isn’t the hard rock/rock n roll/metal/horror punk ragers
like some of the previously mentioned tracks. Musically it also carries a very
cinematic score that wouldn’t be out of place in a movie or TV series.
I think I Am Screaming But Nobody's Here is a relatable song
for those going through, or have experienced turbulent periods since the
pandemic, or at any given time. It's a song about the struggle in our
minds and those who have sadly taken their own lives as a result. Bog respects the meaning
and the deep thought behind the lyrics. Bog thinks because it's such a powerful track, he found this part of the write up difficult, but Bog believes in speaking
from the heart and soul. Hopefully, Bog has managed to convey the tone, feel, and music
behind I Am Screaming But Nobody's Here.
Long Cool Woman. The drums once again return to hold your
ears with attention grabbing riffs at the start. It's a sick gutter fuelled
horror punk track with a cool energetic feel and gothic backing vocals, which
adds to the joyous sensation for the listener.
Of Love Of Hate Of Pain was next. Bog was approaching the end
of The Waiting, Bog hasn't been bored whilst on this musical
journey. There is a fierce punk and horror punk
vibe, which are coupled together with a high tempo and very good instruments.
The Waiting, (A Token Of Your Death). Another horror punk track mixed with heavy metal, but with a slower pace. This track had Bog thinking
of the same mood of I Am Screaming But Nobody’s Here mixed with the horror tone
of the previous track Of Love Of Hate Of Pain. If you listen carefully, there
is also a bluesy solo about halfway. Another cinematic sounding track to stimulate the imagination.
Waiting For The Sun To Go Down. This is the last track from The Waiting, it made Bog think
of driving or riding a bike down the freeway, or along a desert road, or
passing by Vegas. Bog was also thinking
of Waiting For The Sun To Go Down as the soundtrack for escaping a group of
vampires who are probably even angrier with people for enjoying monstrosities
like Twilight. Musically speaking, it also has a slow tempo, but with
grungy horror punk based heavy metal to close out The Waiting with a dark
signature tone.
Rating: There were two songs Bog personally
didn’t enjoy, but Bog didn’t hate them, he just preferred the more up tempo and darker gothic tracks. However, it soon became clear Bog was listening to a special
album, which was why he invested a lot of time to try and convey the experience,
and the emotion felt whilst listening to The Waiting.
All in all, there is a good combination of various genres
throughout the album, and Bog would like to hear more from BLAK29. Bog is curious to
see what they do next, and appreciated the throwbacks to the benchmarks of cult
horror and music, which served to provide a great deal of substance for The
Waiting. It's safe to argue BLAK29's The Waiting is a highly enjoyable ride and an
emotive album for the senses.
If you can appreciate a band stepping outside the
box, and incorporating a multitude of genres in-order to flow with expressive
musical moods, then do not pass on The Waiting.
In closing, The Waiting is obviously a thought driven orientated album, which wouldn't be out of place on any classic horror movie soundtrack. The album is full of excellent drums, strong vocals, and well played guitars spanning across the various genres contained within the music.
For more information on Blak29, please visit:
Listen to “Bleeding Love” on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5plaMYLSpQk3dYuyXSefpu?si=8wLWU_n_Q5K8Tu3fQONDlg
Bleeding Love:
https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/blak29-the-waiting-cd/
CD/Vinyl:
https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=blak29&post_type=product
Digital: https://orcd.co/blak29_thewaiting
Watch “Destroyer Music video: https://youtu.be/w5YwQRfrC_8
