BIO

BLACK SITES (FEAT. MEMBERS OF TRIALS) TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM ON FEBRUARY 17 ON MASCOT RECORDS

An aura of mystique surrounds Black Sites. The band is a super group of sorts, featuring some of Chicago’s finest players from the underground metal scene. The band features former Trials-members Mark Sugar (vocals/guitar) and Ryan Bruchert (guitar), plus John Picillo from Without Waves and Immortal Birds on bass, and Chris Avgerin, formerly of Autonomy and Lost Dog, on drums. The four-piece band draws inspiration from a panoramic pedigree of classic and modern metal and hard rock influences including Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, 1970s Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Fates Warning, Motörhead, Queensrÿche, Voivod, Hammers Of Misfortune, and Dawnbringer.

The 9-track album opens the elegantly elegiac piano interlude “M Fisto Waltz,” which eventually lunges for the jugular with lacerating guitars. In Monochrome’s first official track, “Dead Languages,” unfurls the album’s manifesto of musical intent. Packed within its 5:23 minutes the band traverse Sabbath-y grooves, agile progressive rock drums, Thin Lizzy-esque guitar harmonies, sinister guttural vocals, and soaring melodic vocals.

Other album standouts include “Hunter/Gatherer,” “Burning Away The Day,” and “Locked Out – Shut Down.” “Hunter/Gatherer” opens with a darkly classical acoustic guitar figure and plaintive, clean vocals. It’s a storyteller song that uses dramatic dynamics to convey the narrative. Within the epic are slight nods to vintage Mercyful Fate, Trouble and Queensrÿche. “Burning Away The Day” is an instrumental tour de force with savage 1970s hard rock drums and fleet-fingered guitar solo playing that explodes with classical melodicism and proto-shred flash. The relentless pummel of “Locked Out – Shut Down” evinces Sugar’s thrash roots.

As anticipation builds for the band, and Black Sites releases its debut long player and plays its first shows ever, Sugar is reflective. After all, in the span of a year he’s gone from no band to a new band with an irresistible old school aesthetic. “I remember driving in my car listening to the final album and just feeling so relieved and excited to hear these songs come to life,” he says. “I learned a lot during this time. I learned how to keep an open mind and stay focused. I feel like this is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

ALBUM

Black Sites – In Monochrome

*To get the high-res image, click on it to open it in a new tab and then right click on the image and select “save target as”.

Release Date: April 21, 2017

Tracklist

1. M Fisto Waltz
2. Dead Languages
3. Monochrome
4. Burning Away The Day
5. Hunter Gatherer
6. Watching You Fall
7. Locked Out – Shut Down
8. In The Woods
9. The Tides

Extra Information

Available Formats:

• CD Digipack
• 180 gram LP+MP3
• Digital

 

Full Bio

 

PHOTOS

by Margaret Lord

*To get the high-res image, click on it to open it in a new tab and then right click on the image and select “save target as”.

 

VIDEOS

 

MUSIC

Please request a secure Haulix link through our form on the contact page

 

LINKS

blacksites.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | For more info please go to our download site

Editorial note/Not for publication: For additional information, stream links, and interview requests, please contact:
Mascot Label Group | Rikkert Dahmen | Office: +31 (0)10 512 03 84 | To e-mail, please use the form on the contact page