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BLACKFINGER
When Colors Fade Away
2017 M-Theory Audio

“Hey there, it’s me again… reaching out from within…” BLACKFINGER is the doom/psychedelic metal band formed by former TROUBLE and THE SKULL singer Eric Wagner. The band released their self-titled debut in 2014. When Colors Fade Away is the band’s sophomore release.

Aside from Wagner, the lineup for When Colors Fade Away is completely different from the debut album. On this album, he is joined by guitarists Terry Weston (DREAM DEATH) and Matthew Tuite, bassist Matthew Cross and drummer David Snyder.

The album opening is similar to the debut, with a slow and methodical doom riffer. In this instance, it’s the SABBATH-drenched title track. Take a listen to the song on KNAC.COM right HERE. The song segues into the groovier “Can I Get A Witness” (not the Marvin Gaye song, although I wouldn’t mind hearing them cover that one). I dig the melancholy mood of this track. “All My Sorrow” follows, with more deep lyrics and a doom tempo. “My Old Soul” brings to life much of the nursery rhyme “Old King Cole”, with trudging capability. “Afternow” is my favorite pick here. The song sharpens the pace of the album with a little boogie and Cross’s bouncing bass line. A memorable solo is included here as well.

The somber theme of the album is emphasized with “Crossing The River Turmoil”, which comes across as the reading of a last will and testament. “Beside Still Water” keeps the tempo moderate, with two guitarists joining together to lay down a riff Tony Iommi would be proud of. “Waiting For The Sun” (not THE DOORS song) follows, and it’s one of the more constrained tracks on the album. Wagner's nearly-spoken lyrics reach out to connect with the listener about mortality and sacrifice at the end of life. “Til We Meet Again” closes the album with a head-down, riff-laden mid-tempo potency.

Doom metal purists are going to cherish this album; it’s a fair match to the quality of the debut. I would like to hear some more up-tempo tracks from this band in the future, and I admit I miss the higher-range vocals Wagner used to employ occasionally while in TROUBLE. While his trademark warble is all over When Colors Fade Away, he never really goes into the higher snarl that he used to. Still, Wagner is the doom metal vocal king and the focus of the album for me. I love his contemplation and the way he weaves nursery rhymes into his lyrics. (You’ll recognize several here).

When Colors Fade Away contains nine songs and clocks in around 40 minutes. I think fans of the THE SKULL will like this album. It’s heavy as lead. Crank this album and rattle your windows. When Colors Fade Away is available September 15th through M-Theory Audio.

3.8 Out Of 5.0

Grab your copy of When Colors Fade Away in the KNAC.COM More Store right HERE.