Album Review: Blak29 – The Waiting (Cleopatra Records)

From long time Danzig/Samhain associate, Steve Zing, comes a new project featuring heavy riffs, punishing rhythms, and the bleakest of lyrics – BLAK29! A childhood friend of members of The Misfits and Glenn Danzig, Zing is a renowned figure of the horror punk scene, known for his powerful drums for the legendary and highly influential rock band Samhain and as the current bassist for Danzig.

With BLAK29, Zing finally takes centre stage and is set to release the group’s second album, The Waiting, which features a newly designed band logo courtesy of Danzig himself, on March 3rd, 2023.

The influence of other musical work is certainly obvious upon hearing opener Blackout. A sleazy horror-tinged blend of rock, punk, and metal, its overall anthemic quality is what stands out. A very infectious opener with just the right amount of snarl and snarky groove to make it feel larger.

Featuring ex-Danzig member Tommy Victor and The 69 Eyes’ Jyrki 69, Destroyer is a gothic-laden punk rock tune that will get the dead up and moving. Whereas Waiting For The Sun To Go Down is a robust head-banger with thick riffs, Go Go Little One is a brash ball of energised punk, and End of Days is a filthy little trippy and groove number, with a massive sounding chorus.

All good fun and with a surprising amount of variety, The Waiting appears to have been worth the wait. No more proof needed than the biggest and most ear-pleasing anthem of them all, Of Love Of Hate Of Pain. What a banger of a track this is.

The fun and games continue with Bleeding Love, a track to dance too. Before The Waiting (A Token Of Your Death) and Don’t Mind the Pain deliver ranging depths of twisted rock, punk, and metal in the horror tinged BLAK29 way. A sound that is really beginning to really take on its own life and making for a more unique experience overall.

Which is evident in the melodic mind-bending track, I Am Screaming (But Nobody Hears). A track with some strong eerie vibes but one that also has an overall relaxing melodic tone. Easing you through darker stages, all with a sense of grandeur that is unlike anything else on the album.

This being an excellent finale for many, unless you pick up the CD edition which comes with an additional track called, Long Cool Woman. A fast-paced and heavy number that sees The 69 Eyes’ Jyrki 69 join BLAK29 for a final raucous rocking romp.

BLAK29 – The Waiting Track Listing:

1. Blackout
2. Destroyer (Feat. Jyrki 69 & Tommy Victor)
3. Waiting For The Sun To Go Down
4. Go Go Little One
5. End Of Days
6. Of Love Of Hate Of Pain
7. Bleeding Love
8. The Waiting (A Token Of Your Death)
9. Don’t Mind The Pain
10. I Am Screaming (But Nobody Hears)
11. Long Cool Woman (feat. Jyrki 69) (Bonus Track CD Only)

Links

CD/Vinyl | Stream | Cleopatra Records