When I used to think of what alternative rock is, I used to think of classic bands like Nirvana, Foo Fighters, and Alice In Chains.
My whole way of thinking changed in 2022 when I heard UK band, Black Midi.
Black Midi are one of the most bizarre bands in alternative music, combining elements of progressive rock, jazz, avant-garde, and post-punk, creating one of the most unique and insane sounds in music today.
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The band released their debut record, “Schlagenheim” in 2019. It’s a fantastic album, but it’s before the band really found their sound. The album is a straight up post-punk explosion, with a little bit of avant-garde elements mixed in.
Songs like “bmbmbm,” “953,” and “Near DT, MI” are among the many standouts on this album.
In 2021, Black Midi released their sophomore record, “Cavalcade.”
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This is when Black Midi really began to find their sound. Their guitar and piano passages became a lot more technical, and their avant-garde and post-punk roots were on full display.
Tracks like “Slow,” “Chondromalacia Patella,” and “John L” are among my personal favourites.
The band had caught the eye of the underground music scene, and were garnering mass critical acclaim, especially after the release of Cavalcade.
But in 2022, Black Midi struck gold, with one of the greatest albums that I have ever heard.
In July, 2022, the band released their third full-length studio album, “Hellfire.”
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You know this meme?
This is a perfect visual representation of my first reaction to this album.
Hellfire is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard in my entire life. The instrumentals are relentless and all over the place in the best way possible, Geordie Greep’s vocal passages are amazing, and this album’s production is the best out of the band’s three records.
This record has so many highlights. After a quick one-minute intro to set the tone for the record, the first full song on the record is “Sugar/Tsu” and it’s bonkers. The guitar passages in this song are so fast and technical that it blows my mind that a human played them. The song’s outro is also bananas, and drummer Morgan Simpson goes nuts to finish the song.
“Welcome To Hell” is the next song worth highlighting, and I think the title is fitting. The song sounds like an audible representation of someone being sent to hell, with big booming horn sections, spoken word vocals that gradually get more intense, and another chaotic finish.
Other songs like “Dangerous Liaisons,” “The Race Is About To Begin,” and “27 Questions” are also great.
This album is an absolute masterpiece, and I think it will stand the test of time. It’s one that I know will be with me for a long time.
Album score: 10/10