Description

Led by former Trouble vocalist Eric Wagner, Blackfinger made quite an impression with their self-titled debut back in 2014. Since that time, Wagner has vacated his hometown of Chicago, enlisting an entirely new cast of musicians in Pittsburgh. I had my doubts that Blackfinger would even make a second album, given Wagner’s relocation as well as his increased involvement with The Skull. But much to my pleasant surprise, with a new line-up the band returned in 2017 with the record, When Colors Fade Away. The opening title track reveals the new-and-improved Blackfinger to be a surprisingly agile and live-sounding band. Bassist Matthew Cross takes the spotlight on several occasions with some melodic and upfront playing, while drummer David Snyder avoids typical doom plodding in favour of jazzy Bill Ward-isms. And having Terry Weston and Matthew Tuite (both ex-Penance) on board certainly can’t hurt. The two of them deal in fuzzier, more classic territory than what went down on Blackfinger‘s debut, inching somewhat closer to The Skull‘s wheelhouse. As for Wagner himself? If the album title didn’t tip you off, he’s still not in a particularly uplifting mood. The lyrical outlook is about as dark as it gets. He seems to have mostly retired his trademark higher range, spending most of the record speak-singing in a chillingly detached baritone. “All My Sorrow” seems to hang a lampshade on Wagner’s current mood: “Hush little babies, don’t you cry/You know your daddy was born to die/All my troubles will soon be gone.” Also of note is the chorus of “Crossing The River Turmoil,” in which Wagner seems to be reading the opening of a last will and testament. Happy music, this is not.

Track list:
1. When Colors Fade Away
2. Can I Get A Witness
3. All My Sorrow
4. My Old Soul
5. Afternow
6. Crossing The River Turmoil
7. Beside Still Water
8. Waiting For The Sun
9. Till We Meet Again