Play 90 second soundbite of 'Blindman' @ 'CD quality'
So, In The Black is the band and 'Iota' is the EP; four big, buxom rock tracks that positively fly from the speakers to crash and bang around the room with no respect for one's sanity or decor! These guys rock all right, their furious assault is driven by pounding drums, thumpin' bass and big guitar chords. It's a frenzied and often somewhat discordant melee of heavy rock riffs and crunchin' rhythms that err towards metal but thankfully just pull up short of that belligerent and often over-cooked target.
Four 'boys' from London make up this battering ram of a band; their approach is nothing short of brutal and their sound is bordering on ear-slitting. In The Black make a big noise for a four-piece and there's an energy within the unit that's bustin' the seams to get out and bite yer on the arse. Energetic, yes - hectic, too true - skull-splittin', pretty much - In The Black lay it down with a brutality that's, at times, scary as they try their hardest to split yer speaker cones and melt yer ear wax. Yes, it's pretty much a full-on onslaught, no respite, no subtleties, no respect for your mental health, or physical health for that matter.
So, we've established that In The Black are a little on the forceful side to say the least. And yes, they do what they do very well and are quite obviously a very tight and focussed outfit. But, In The Black aren't doing anything totally new or outrageously different and, for me, that's a fact that lets them down a little. Sure they're good, sure they rock and sure they're gonna get loads of work out there. But, I'd just like something with a little more individuality to set them apart from their contemporaries. At the moment In The Black will compete extremely well within their particular marketplace but if they could just find that little edge, that little something that says 'we are In The Black, listen and remember', they'd be in a far better place. 'Iota' is certainly workmanlike and acts as a great introduction to a damn good band and what it lacks in originality it more than compensates for in aggressive, attitudinal energy. If In The Black could just find that extra something it would just tip the balance a little more in their favour.
'Iota' by In The Black does exactly what it's supposed to do - it clearly demonstrates In The Black's powerhouse rock and openly shows that the band are willing and more than able to move on up a few rungs. If In The Black keep on rockin' like this they are sure to earn themselves a decent reputation but, with that little something else that's currently missing, they could just prove to be an awesome force to be reckoned with, not just famous then but possibly infamous! 'Iota' is a very good EP, it could be better, it should be better and I'm sure In The Black will continue to build on these solid foundations to raise the ante and then truly be able to compete with the big boys.
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