Black Sites – The Promised Land?

Us Chicagoans are absolutely spoiled with one of the best metal scenes in the country, if not the world. Aside from Trouble, Master, Zoetrope, Macabre, and the countless influential acts who rose through our ranks going back 40+ years, there’s no shortage of new acts killing it as well, including a band that I will proudly label as the premiere progressive metal band on the scene today, Black Sites. Those with their ears to the underground will vividly remember their last album, Untrue, which made it all the way up to #4 on our 2021 year end list, and for good reason. Outside of the Todd La Torre era Queensrÿche albums, I can’t think of another progressive metal affair in my lifetime as compelling.

Well aware of the standard they set on their musical hat trick, Black Sites took their time when it came to crafting album number four, The Promised Land?. For one, we’re introduced to a new drummer in Brandon White, who had already been handling live duties for the band as is. There’s also longtime guitarist Ryan Bruchert, and of course, the man of the hour, principal singer/songwriter/guitarist, Mark Sugar. Together, these three have crafted yet another progressive metal monolith that stands on its own in terms of identity. Sure, there are elements of past Black Sites releases that remain constant (downtuned guitars, powerful arrangements, Sugar’s unique vocals), but the songs themselves are never boring.

The groove-heavy “Descent” opens things up with a bang, reminding us that this is a band whose members definitely came of age in the ’90s. Mind you, when I use the term “groove” in this context, it’s not in the tough guy Pantera sense, but rather the execution of the riff itself. In other words, a yo-yo boy, Ozzfest friendly album, this is not. “Dread Tomorrow” conjures glorious shadows of ’80s Queensrÿche and Fates Warning in all their ferocious USPM glory, while “Gideon” conveys undeniable power and emotion, adding a sense of depth to this already wondrously complex web of metallic adventurism. In an era where ballads come off as forced contractual obligations, it’s refreshing to hear a metal band pen one with legitimate authenticity.

True to their prog metal ethos, if Black Sites had to be summed up in word, it would be “dynamic”. This is not a band being “progressive” for the sake of showcasing senseless technicality, but progressive in a songwriting sense. For example, they can churn out straightforward pseudo-thrashers like “Chasing Eternity” and “Many Turn to None” with their sledgehammer riffs and ’90s Voivod leanings as effortlessly as the ambitious title track. Serving as the obligatory suite, “The Promised Land?” is grandiose, yet cohesive, contrasting darkness and light with an unpredictable arrangement and superb musicianship. It’s one part prog head trip, one part pummeling riff-fest, and all parts awesome.

To say Black Sites have impressed me yet again would be an understatement. This is a band I can always rely on to provide me with a truly cerebral listening experience, never settling for anything less than the best. I wish more progressive metal and rock bands would take notes from the gospel of Mark (Sugar), but then again, maybe not. After all, it’s this lightning in a bottle sound and approach that keeps me coming back to Black Sties time and time again. Even if it was replicated, it could never be duplicated.

9 out of 10

Label: Independent

Genre: Progressive Metal

For fans of: Queensrÿche, Fates Warning, Voivod