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BLOOD STAINED DUSK
Deadlights Beckon Me
Black Lion Records

To say that Black Metal has come a long way since 1980 is an understatement. Since VENOM's Black Metal (1982) to BATHORY's 1984 self-titled debut, and formation (and damnation) of MAYHEM, today's dark and abysmal sound we now recognize as Black Metal is largely different from then. One aspect is the production and technology capabilities available, versus the simple (Fisher-Price) tape recorder which encompassed and defined what Black Metal was. Fast forward to today and some bands have defaulted into being more theatrical and visual with their art as the music has taken a back seat. Thankfully there are plenty of bands who are both visual and musically out'fucking'standing (ask me which, go ahead!), giving room for new and more focused Black Metal bands to step back into the light... or Dark as it were. One band to return to the shadows hails from a country lesser recognized for its Black Metal, America. Raising hell once again and finally releasing new material is BLOOD STAINED DUSK with their EP Deadlights Beckon Me (Black Lion Records) whose depth in their music will envelop you with the black and brutal sound and atmosphere they created.

Right away I could tell the sound on this would be great. With no sign of stale overproduction, what I was hearing brought a sigh of relief. The opening title track was a clear indication how focused their style has stayed. Excellent songwriting combined with today's studio technology resulted into this massive sound that they were able to capture. Led by guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Thorgrin (Chris White) and drummer Profana (Chris Pezzano), who I had the pleasure of talking to prior to its release (check it out on KNAC.COM HERE), this EP that comes 15 years later since 2008's Black Faith Inquisition just adds to the amazing amount of music to come out this year. For a band stuck in the middle of the bible belt, BLOOD STAINED DUSK were able to produce a half-hour of dramatically evil music. Each song has several sequences that build up and tear you down, while tearing you a new one. I'll take long epic 7 minute songs any day as long as they move you and strike you with emotion just as the title track "Deadlights Beckon Me" does. The second track and first single previously released, "No Light Shall Penetrate" was an early indication of the ferocity the EP would hold. This song serves as a real good example of the outstanding drum work from Profana who demonstrates great versatility. The 3rd song "Worship And Disintegrate" is the more somber song of them all and slows things down after a whirlwind of blast-beats and symphonic destruction. An added bonus is an orchestral version of the opening title track or to be more specific, it's the orchestral backing track from the 1st track. Listening to this root version of the song is a beautiful treat. This displays how great their composing is and could easily fit any films' dramatic sequence, like that of an epic clash between 'good' versus 'evil'.

It is necessary to point out the shortage of American Black Metal bands that actually stand out in the Black Metal genre. Usually we only mention the regions of Norway, Poland, Sweden and Finland to name a few. Thus it seems American bands work harder to get recognized. Even though I love bands such as DISSECTION, DARKTHRONE, DARK FUNERAL, early BEHEMOTH, BELPHEGOR and TSJUDER to name a few - admittedly Black Metal is a genre I rarely listen to. Listening to Dead Lights Beckon Me put me on a major binge of Black Metal and this EP greatly encompasses the aforementioned bands with a good hint of Brutal Death Metal for BLOOD STAINED DUSK to create their own style to represent American Black Metal, which they do exceptionally well and shows how through so much turbulence in the past 15 years has only sharpened their teeth and their sound.

4.5 Out Of 5.0