Review By Darren McIntyre
Black Smoke Trigger are a hard / alternative rock band from Napier, New Zealand who came to our attention in 2018 and released their debut EP in Set It Off in 2019. The boys toured with Like A Storm in New Zealand to celebtate 10 years of Devilskin and have opened for the likes of Halestorm & Filter. The boys have just put the finishing touches to their debut album Horizons due to drop July 19th. I am pleased to say that I will be reviewing this blistering slab of rock n roll for you today, please settle in as I ready us for an earthshaking trip.
Phantom Pain – A slow burning guitar riff wanders into this fist pumping beast as the rhythm section kicks us off with a real pounding snare drum beat as the bass kicks work well as this colossal opening track leaves it’s mark. The gravelly rasping vocals are settling in well as they wrap themselves around this fantastic foot stomping monster as the real killer beat builds and builds as the funking bassline drops epic tones that just ripple all the way through this soaring monster. The slick guitar solo leaves it’s mark as the cool riffs just take this track to another place as we get to grips with these boys from Napier as they open their account with a killer track that just sets the pace.
K.M.T.L. – A gritty guitar riff opens this account as the pounding snare drum punches kick in the doors and let this rousing arrangement do it’s thing with real ease. The full on bassline is coming at us with a real gutsy funk assault as it just wraps itself around this foot stomping, fist pumping bruiser as it just thunders towards us, the boys have gone all out for sure with this electrifying album as we are left in no doubt that they are firing on all cylinders. The soaring monster vocals are just letting this track breathe for sure as the rousing guitar licks leave their mark on this fantastic track.
The Way Down – A pounding rhythm section opens the account of this melodic fist pumping number as the snare drum punches work well with a real deep bass kick that just lets this track fly. The vocals are just ripping this track open as they give this number depth, swagger and bags of attitude as they really get us on board with their banging melodies and killer bassline notes that really let us feel the rawness oozing from these boys as they settle into their groove and just smack us straight in the face and let us feel the full force of this colossal debut album that is showing no signs of slowing down.
Perfect Torture – This is a rock ballad with all the trimmings thrown in for good measure as the powering vocals soar and really let this track breathe. We get a thundering rhythm section that just delivers by the truckload as this killer track takes us one way then the next as we feel the intensity coming from this electrifying 4 piece as they leave their mark on us. The soaring vocals are just so intense as they weave their way through this rasping fott stomper that is just building and building as a sweet clean solo kicks in the doors and just offloads with ease as the boys keep coming and coming and really give it to us and then some.
Proof Of Life – Rasping guitar riffs erupt from the getgo as this punchy number comes to life as the boys continue with this rocking assault that is just simmering under the surface. The rhythm section is a real force to be reckoned with as we get the feeling that there is more to come from this soaring 4 piece from New Zealand, the whole arrangement is a foot stomping, barn storming beast that is just taking us to another place with it’s slick, clean grooves that give us a sweet, crisp solo that has layer after layer of delicious grooves that are coming at us kicking and screaming with all the energy that these boys have to give.
Learn To Crawl – The smooth sweet vocals are oozing from the track as this thought provoking number suddenly erupts into life with a real solid snare drum beat. This is one of those tracks that really grabs you and lets you know that it means business with it’s real intense notes that are flowing effortlessly through this killer riff that just comes at us with all it has. The whole track is a monster from start to finish as it just grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go, the boys are really giving us everything for sure as this is one of those tracks that just pulls you in and won’t let you go. This is a well written number that has us asking where these boys have been all this time.
Set Me On Fire – We change gear for this bad boy as the tempo just punches you in the face with it’s rawness, intensity, depth, attitude and real groove that is just so in your face. The rhythm section is again front and centre with it’s sheer driving power of snare drum beats that bring in a punchy bass kick that lets this track do it’s thing, the vocals are just ripping through this electrifying monster track that is throwing everything at us for sure, a pounding bass kick wanders freely through the mid section as the boys deliver a real rocking groove that just melts your face with it’s sheer power that is just awesome.
Psycho – Vocals erupt from the getgo as they let the tone deliver a real meaty thought provoking groove that has a slick guitar riff tearing it’s way through this fantastic number, the funky groove just catches your attention as the soaring vocals come hurtling towards us as this pounding beast is let loose. The full on bassline is dropping epic tones that just wrap themselves around this foot stomping electric arrangement as the bass kicks let the rhythm section loose and bring a real crunching beat. The slick crisp guitar licks are flowing effortlessly through this rousing number as the boys let their inner monster loose as they drive their juggernaut groove straight through this epic number.
One More Chance(Don’t Let It Slip Away) – Crisp guitar tones are getting this beast off the ground as the pounding snare drum beats get the groove flowing. The vocals are just bringing a real gravelly feel to this fist pumping number as the whole arrangement just pops as the boys really dig deep and bring us a soul searching number that just tells us that the boys have worked hard on this killer album as each track lays a path for us to follow and feel the energy oozing from every member. This is a real slick affair as we get a crisp searing solo that brings attitude, swagger and a real killer punch that is just cementing these boys for more success for sure.
Never Dies – From the off we get a pounding beat that allows snare drum beats to lay the path for this crunching arrangement that just builds and builds. The gritty guitar riffs are working perfectly with the killer bassline that is handing us epic funk grooves that really let this track soar, the tempo changes direction as the groove takes a turn for the heavier side as the guitar riffs wrap themselves around the rhythm section as the pounding beats let this track take us on a journey that won’t let us get off as the boys are just enjoying themselves way too much as this colossal ripper track just tears away all that comes before it.
Sun Cries Red – Acoustic chords ripple through the intro as we get mellow vocals that just set the scene as this fantastic haunting track unfolds and brings us a real rocking ballad that is just awesome. The stringed section is just allowing this track the room it needs to grow as the tempo changes pace and allows the rhythm section to kick in the doors and let this soaring track to come at us. The bassline is dropping sweet full on funk tones all over this incredible track as the boys show their softer rockier side that lets us know that they are just brimming with confidence as this fantastic track takes us to somewhere new as the boys deliver a real slick, crisp arrangement that is a perfect accompanyment to this killer slab of music.
Promise – Cymbal crashes are flowing from the track as a kick ass bass beat lets this fantastic track leave it’s mark as the boys finish off in style as the groove is building. The gravelly vocals are just ripping through the track and letting the boys bring the rhythm as the bassline is hitting us with cool funk laden grooves that are well balanced and really drive this epic groover onwards, the track is fast, furious, gritty and has bags of attittude as the slick crist solo leaves it’s mark as the boys deliver a strong rasping number that brings in raoring grooves with a solid snare drum beat that just kicks in the doors and really lets us have it both barrels.
Black Smoke Trigger –
Baldrick – Vocals
Charlie Wallace – Guitar / Backing Vocals
Dan Fulton – Bass / Backing Vocals
Josh TeMano – Drums
Tracklisting –
Phantom Pain
K.M.T.L.(Killing Myself To Love)
The Way Down
Perfect Torture
Proof Of Life
Learn To Crawl
Set Me On Fire
Psycho
One More Chance(Don’t Let It Slip Away)
Never Dies
Sun Cries Red
Promise
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