BLACK LAKES – For All We’ve Left Behind

Thanks to the good people over at Stampede Press, I got my filthy paws on a promo version of the upcoming debut offering by the alternative metal/hard rock outfit known as Black Lakes. With such an evocative title as “For All We’ve Left Behind” as well as some interesting song titles, I had high hopes for this one and I am thrilled to report that these UK rockers did not disappoint me in the slightest.

The record is incredibly atmospheric and packed to the rafters with interesting textures. In addition to boasting kick-ass musicianship, it is also tight as fuck without sounding even remotely stiff or rigid, and there is a great flow to these pulsating tracks from start to finish. I am thoroughly impressed by how creative the arrangements are as there are heaps of surprises in store for you here, but the tracks do not lack cohesion and Black Lakes certainly have a knack for crafting an emotionally charged tune. You get huge, crunchy riffs that truly pack a punch, melodies with a melancholy touch to them that underline the heartfelt and occasionally bleak aura of the record, and vocals with an inherent sense of conviction to them. There is a prominent feeling of yearning present within the compositions that is impossible to shake, and I love the way in which it moves back and forth between dark, brooding passages and uplifting choruses that offer glimmers of hope. This is one dynamic output that you ought to check out regardless of whether you are into melodic hard rock or alternative metal. If you want a couple of teasers, make sure you check the songs named “Fragments” and “Break the Silence” out once the album is out in late February.