BLACKBRAID
Blackbraid II
Self-Released
BLACKBRAID burst onto the scene in a way that took the old, black metal elitists like me by extreme surprise; we weren't even sure he was real. Why? Because Native American tinged black metal was something our DARKTHRONE-soaked minds didn't really want to wrap around. Who and what is BLACKBRAID? Why should we listen? And why we should love it...
BLACKBRAID is Jon Krieger, AKA Sgah'gahsowah, and he dives deep into Indian lore as his basis for writing the songs he does and how the deeply personal meaning of his heritage makes for bold black metal topics.
Blackbraid I, was a good offering for a first album and I enjoyed it. I had the pleasure of seeing him live on the DARK FUNERAL tour earlier this year and his set was a pleasant surprise. The band had a tight performance that rated high with the audience; some had come just to see him.
He is also different in his approach to songwriting; in one moment he is gritty, and the next he is intertwining symphonic tones over pounding instruments. It is aggressive and tight, and this second effort is just as strong, if not stronger than the first. It is a good record, period.
At just over an hour, Blackbraid II has a lot to love. He even throws in a cover of BATHORY's "A Fine Day to Die" for extra flavor. This is an overture to the black metal overlords that he is a serious and knowledgeable follower of the genre. He knows the roots of his music as well as he knows the stories of his heritage.
You do get the traditional black metal overtones on this album; he stays true to the formula for the most part, but how he's done it is refreshing. There are some varying stylistic influences here; traditional black metal, blackened death and atmospheric black metal overtones.
"The Spirit Returns" and "A Song of Death On The Winds of Dawn", are two standouts that offer us the strength of the record without being overdone. Each song digs deep into the longing and despair that native Americans faced via stories and lore handed down from generation to generation. It tells a story, which is exactly what it is supposed to do and the instrumentation is excellent.
"Moss Covered Bones On The Altar of The Moon" is a 13-minute long opus that showcases the vitality and variation of style that has become synonymous with BLACKBRAID's music. The depth of emotion is palpable and he truly does share things that are close to his heart. It is as if he wants you to feel the longing in the music and it makes for an interesting listen.
As a whole, I like BLACKBRAID. His live show is mesmerizing, his music is well thought out and has deeply ingrained beliefs that he transposes to paper and later to sound. He is amassing a huge following and has been invited to participate in events and tours that it sometimes takes an artist years to do. He isn't a one-hit wonder but his star is rising very quickly.
Be on the lookout for more from BLACKBRAID because he is on the move.
5.0 Out Of 5.0
