ANOTHER BLACK DAY

Considering the fact that I don't listen to a lot of this brand of radio/MTV-friendly modern metal and hard rock, I was pleasantly surprised with the debut album from Ft. Lauderdale's ANOTHER BLACK DAY. The band seamlessly blends a very heavy delivery that is often thrash-based with hooks that are accessible, but rarely soften the edges.

Though the comparisons are loose ones, one hears pieces of SEVENDUST in some of the arrangements, as well as the muscular riffing and rhythms of a MACHINE HEAD or CHIMAIRA from time to time. The latter two bands in particular are heard on the album's strongest track, a rip-roarin' thrasher called "Hallowed" that comes with a very catchy chorus. It is one of several tracks that offer some blistering guitar solos too. The use of wah-wah soloing on songs like the title track are especially well done, making a big impact right when the tune needs it. Wilkof is a strong singer as well, his gritty delivery in keeping with the album's deft balance of melody and heaviness.

The vast majority of the tracks succeed exactly because of the aforementioned combination of metal bluster and melodic choruses, several of the tunes tastefully utilizing vocal harmonies on the chorus as well ("Stand Up" particularly notable because of it). Make no mistake, there are many seriously metallically bruising moments on the disc that hit like a ton of bricks. As it turns out, my least favorite is the single, "Wicked Soul", its soft-to-heavy delivery sounding as though it was written specifically to get radio play, although it's not an absolute stinker.

Overall, ANOTHER BLACK DAY's debut is a strong album and a breath of fresh air, at least for this listener. It is worth checking out, even for those that may not otherwise consider the style their cup of tea.