Black My Heart
Before The Devil
4.3
Black My Heart, featuring ex-members of On Broken Wings, are almost the definition of half-bad. Struggling between intensely boring mosh rhythms and moderately engaging uptempo material, the band has a difficult time establishing their music as something people would seek out. In the end though, it just sounds like a bad version of Terror recorded with a mix that makes the vocals sound tired and drowning. Their vocalist doesn't have the strongest voice in the first place, but fixing the strained sound would've taken some easy effort and paid off instantly. If you'll notice, the main riff in "What You Know About" could be restructured to become the chorus from Eric Clapton's "Layla". No foolin'. Aside from that, there's very little distinction on the record until the inaugural riff of "Tick Tock", which quickly disappears in favor of more chug-chug-chug. Still, it remains the strongest track on the album from where I stand.
Sharpen up, Black My Heart. Give people a real reason to listen to you aside from the fact that you probably have a crew of bandana-wearing thugs to pummel those who can't appreciate Before The Devil. I can't think of a single thing more that I could possibly say about these guys. I've already had to push my mind through a coriander to get even these few meager sentences. If anyone wants me, I'll be in my car air-drumming to Demolition Hammer. Seacrest out.
