By: Victor Van Ommen
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 16/03/18
Label: Nuclear Blast
“Black Heaven”
is going to grab 2018 by the nuts and set the bar for what makes a good
classic-rock influenced record. We can all take a lesson from Earthless.
“Black Heaven” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1.
Gifted by the Wind (6:28 )
2.
End to End (5:16)
3.
Electric Flame (8:51)
4.
Volt Rush (1:53)
5.
Black Heaven (8:45)
6.
Sudden End (8:26)
The Review:
If you thought Earthless was still an
instrumental power trio from California, it’s time to make an adjustment. On
their new album, “Black Heaven,” Earthless hits the streets with 45 minutes of rockin’
songs. That’s right, songs. With choruses, verses, bridges and
yes, even vocals.
Guitarist Isaiah Mitchell let the cat out of the bag
and told his band mates that he can sing. And how! Sure, Golden Void
is Mitchell’s side project, and it’s one that has him step up to the mic, but
his vocal performance on this new Earthless record is a
whole different kettle of fish.
The added value to “Black
Heaven” isn’t just the addition of vocals. “Black Heaven” goes further and posits these Californians not only
as instrumental bad asses who are technically gifted. This album goes so far as
to show that these cats can lay down a tasty lick, tie it together with some
verses, and come out the other end with a helluva tasty song.
So what does Earthless sound like
playing these songs? Well, I hear a lot of Van Halen coming
through the speakers. Certainly when it comes to “Gifted by the wind”and the 9 minute centerpiece, “Electric Flame.” But the classic rock
and metal influences don’t stop here. You hear elements of Cream pop
up in “End to End” and some colorful
southern rock harmonies brighten up the place in the album’s closer, “Sudden End.” There’s even a little ZZ Top shuffle sprinkled over everything. What’s not to
like?
Yeah, the record’s pretty retro. But, believe it or
not, it’s also original. Earthless aren’t
copying anyone, they’re channeling the greats. These boys know what they’re
doing, too. There’s no instance of phoning it in. Earthless
uses “Black Heaven” to show that
they’re more than a one trick pony. They’ve got more up their sleeves than
instrumental jams that go on for eons. And that’s awesome. Earthless
also uses “Black Heaven” to show how
to keep things fresh in a genre that’s dangerously close to being played out.
“Black Heaven” isn’t a masterpiece. It won’t stand the test of time in the same way
that the Sabbath’s and the Zeppelin’s
have. That’s fine, because for now, “Black
Heaven” is going to grab 2018 by the nuts and set the bar for what makes a
good classic-rock influenced record. We can all take a lesson from Earthless.
“Black Heaven”
is available here
