| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING V - The Pope The Upside Down Ghosts IV - The Emperor The Day We Shut Down The Sun Not The End III - The Empress Alone Together I.D.I.O.T.S. II - The Popess Nowhere Man Broken Dove I - The Magician 0 - The Fool Release Date: November 21, 2017 Label: Sliptrick Records Website: www.facebook.com/TheBlacktonesBand www.theblacktonesband.bandcamp.com www.twitter.com/BlacktonesBand |  THE BLACKTONES ARE: Aaron Tolu - Vocals Gianni Farci - Bass Sergio Boi - Guitars Paolo Mulas - Guitars Maurizio Mura - Drums |
I haven't really listened to too many bands from Italy, except for a couple of songs from Lacuna Coil and Rhapsody Of Fire. However, Italian metal outfit The Blacktones recently reached out to us for a review of their new album The Day We Shut Down The Sun. The cover artwork would make one think that they would be listening to more of a rock album, but as the eerie instrumental opener "V - The Pope" begins, you know you're in for something a little heavier. "The Upside Down" then starts off with a loud blast combined with a scream and a grooving riff. Aaron Tula provides a good balance of melodic and harsh vocals. If you listen to the title track "The Day We Shut Down The Sun", you can hear some hints of Zakk Wylde in his melodic vocals.
If you look at the track listing, you'll notice that there's a pattern in the track listing. The songs are split into four groups of three sections, starting with a short set-up instrumental with Roman numerals in the titles, followed by two heavy songs, and the Roman numerals go in descending order starting at 5, which gives the assumption that the album is a conceptual one. The band draw inspiration from a number of different influences. As I was listening to the album, my first thought was that I could hear little hints of DevilDriver in their music, especially with the guitar tone, but you can also hear some doom metal and even a bit of alternative metal. The last heavy track on the record: "Broken Dove" features some really heavy riffing in the vein of Black Sabbath. Believe me when I say that it's hard not to have Tony Iommi in your head during this track.
The Day We Shut Down The Sun is one of those albums that requires more than one spin for it to fully start hooking you, but once it does, it's an enjoyable listen. Certain songs aren't as memorable as others, but they're far from terrible. If you're looking for some new Italian metal, check out The Blacktones and The Day We Shut Down The Sun.
Highs: Fantastic production, solid songwriting and performances.
Lows: A few listens are required for the record to start hooking you.
Final Rating: 7/10
If you look at the track listing, you'll notice that there's a pattern in the track listing. The songs are split into four groups of three sections, starting with a short set-up instrumental with Roman numerals in the titles, followed by two heavy songs, and the Roman numerals go in descending order starting at 5, which gives the assumption that the album is a conceptual one. The band draw inspiration from a number of different influences. As I was listening to the album, my first thought was that I could hear little hints of DevilDriver in their music, especially with the guitar tone, but you can also hear some doom metal and even a bit of alternative metal. The last heavy track on the record: "Broken Dove" features some really heavy riffing in the vein of Black Sabbath. Believe me when I say that it's hard not to have Tony Iommi in your head during this track.
The Day We Shut Down The Sun is one of those albums that requires more than one spin for it to fully start hooking you, but once it does, it's an enjoyable listen. Certain songs aren't as memorable as others, but they're far from terrible. If you're looking for some new Italian metal, check out The Blacktones and The Day We Shut Down The Sun.
Highs: Fantastic production, solid songwriting and performances.
Lows: A few listens are required for the record to start hooking you.
Final Rating: 7/10
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