MASCOT LABEL GROUP AND BLACK
SITES ANNOUNCE RELEASE
OF BAND’S DEBUT IN MONOCHROME
ON FEBRUARY 17, 2017
Album Presents The Return of
Mark Sugar Following Trials Dissolution
Chicago,
IL --- Mascot Records has announced the global release of Black Sites
debut In Monochrome, on February 17, 2017. A lyric video
for the lead track “Dead Languages” can be streamed here:
In
2015, revered metal guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Mark Sugar had a
creative breakthrough that led him to leave behind a modern metal legacy to
bravely forge a new one. Now, one of underground metal’s most uncompromising
visionaries returns with a new band and an invigorating heavy-with-melody
aesthetic. Sugar offers, “I wanted to challenge myself with clean singing and
by writing well-crafted songs. I went back to my influences, old school metal,
prog rock, and hard rock—music built on classic songwriting.”
Sugar
was formerly known as the mastermind behind the cult metal quartet Trials, a
group that amicably folded in 2015, leaving behind three artistically bold and
well-received albums that bridged the divide between thrash and melodic death
metal. His new band, Black Sites conjures burly proto metal riffs and
vibey grooves, whiplash thrash, moody ambience, and the stately expanse of
modern and classic prog. The Chicago-based hard rock quartet’s debut, In
Monochrome (Mascot Records), thrills with unexpected twists and
turns, and tuneful songcraft that never sacrifices heft for hooks.
An
aura of mystique surrounds Black Sites. The band is a super group of sorts,
featuring some of Chicago’s finest players from the underground metal scene.
The band features Mark Sugar on vocals/guitar, ex-Trials bandmate Ryan Bruchert
on guitar, John Picillo on bass, from Without Waves and Immortal Bird, and
Chris Avgerin on drums, from Nequient and Autonomy. The four-piece band
draws inspiration from a panoramic pedigree of classic and modern metal and
hard rock influences including Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, 1970s Judas Priest,
Iron Maiden, Fates Warning, Motörhead, Queensrÿche, Voivod, Hammers Of
Misfortune, and Dawnbringer.
The
story goes that at the time of the Trials split, it was was seeing Avgerin
during this transitional period that encouraged Sugar to follow his muse. He
recalls, “Watching Chris play awesome John Bonham, Ginger Baker, and Bill Ward
style drums in these bands that had a 1960s vibe really inspired me.”
Sugar
and Avgerin worked on the demos as a duo before heading to Gunpoint Recording
Studios with recording engineer Quentin Poynter (The Skull). Bassist John
Picillo joined the band halfway through the sessions, and guitarist Ryan
Bruchert signed on after the recordings.
The
10-track album opens with the elegiac piano interlude “M Fisto Waltz,” which
eventually lunges for the jugular with lacerating guitars. In
Monochrome’s first official track, “Dead Languages,” unfurls the
album’s manifesto of musical intent. Packed within its 5:23 minutes the
band traverse Sabbath-y grooves, agile progressive rock drums, Thin
Lizzy-esque guitar harmonies, sinister guttural vocals, and soaring melodic
vocals.
Other
album standouts include “Hunter/Gatherer,” “Burning Away The Day,” and “Locked
Out – Shut Down.” “Hunter/Gatherer” opens with a darkly classical acoustic
guitar figure and plaintive, clean vocals. It’s a storyteller song that uses
dramatic dynamics to convey the narrative. Within the epic are slight nods to
vintage Mercyful Fate, Trouble and Queensrÿche. “Burning Away The Day” is an
instrumental tour de force with savage 1970s hard rock drums and fleet-fingered
guitar solo playing that explodes with classical melodicism and proto-shred
flash. The relentless pummel of “Locked Out – Shut Down” evinces Sugar’s
thrash roots.
As
anticipation builds for the band, and Black Sites releases its debut long
player and plays its first shows ever, Sugar is reflective. After all, in the
span of a year he’s gone from no band to a new band with an irresistible old
school aesthetic. “I remember driving in my car listening to the final album
and just feeling so relieved and excited to hear these songs come to life,” he
says. “I learned a lot during this time. I learned how to keep an open mind and
stay focused. I feel like this is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The
full track list features “M Fisto Waltz,” “Dead Languages,” “Monochrome,”
“Burning Away The Day,” “Hunter Gatherer,” “Watching You Fall,” “Locked Out –
Shut Down,” “In The Woods,” “The Tides.”
