By: Mark Tremblay
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 17/07/2017
Label: Season of Mist
River Black’s self-titled release
picks up right where Burnt by the
Sun’s “Heart of Darkness” left off, the riffs and instrumentation are
crushing, as well as vocalist Mike Olender being the best he has ever been, For
anyone who enjoys Metal and hardcore at its finest will find this record to be
of their choosing.
“River Black” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1.
Jaws
2. Honor
3. Low
4. Shipwreck
5. River Black
6. South x South
7. Boat
8. Move
9. #Victim
10. Haunt
11. Sink
12. Everywhere
2. Honor
3. Low
4. Shipwreck
5. River Black
6. South x South
7. Boat
8. Move
9. #Victim
10. Haunt
11. Sink
12. Everywhere
The Review:
River Black’s self-titled
release picks up right where Burnt by the Sun’s “Heart of Darkness” left off in ways that are both impressive and
terrifying. The positives are that the riffs and instrumentation are crushing,
as well as vocalist Mike Olender
being the best he has ever been. The terrifying element is that the lyrical
continuity between “Heart of Darkness”
and “River Black” indicates the human
condition has only grown worse in the band’s absence. Fans of Burnt by the Sun will not
only welcome this new record, but also be blown away by the progression of River Black’s sound.
The
album gets off to a pummelling start from the get-go with “Jaws” and “Low” are riff-oriented
tracks very reminiscent of the “Soundtrack
to the Personal Evolution” era of Burnt
by the Sun. The album takes a turn in the middle with the self
titled track and “South x South”.
These songs show a more matured band exercising restraint and understanding the
best qualities of their sound. It is the little things that make such an
impact; particularly with the double kick pattern and the string arrangements
on “South x South”, you see the
growth still capable within this band. As mentioned previously, Mike Olender’s vocals are nothing short
of spectacular. With “River Black”, the listener really gets the sense
of a man who has had many life experiences between his studio albums.
Particularly with songs like “Haunt”
and “#Victim”, you get the sense Mike is not only a seasoned lyricist,
but has completely mastered his craft as a metal vocalist.
For
anyone who enjoys Metal and hardcore at its finest will find this record to be
of their choosing.
“River Black”
is available here
