15 Mar 2013

A Progressive Power/Thrash Gem


Blackkout - Ignorance of Man


The Band: Balckkout.

Richard W. Elliott IV – Vocals/Guitars/Flute/Violin/Keyboards.
Triad – Bass/Backing Vocals.
Jeffrey A. Claus – Drums, Vocals.


This band was founded in 1984 in Saint Petersburg, Florida. After going through extensive line-up changes in the 80s, they finally recorded and released a massive 19 track debut/demo album in 1989, and in 2011 they released an album with a few songs recorded for a follow-up.

The Release: Ignorance of Man.

This release is hard to put into one genre. Sometimes it’s progressive thrash, and sometimes pure power metal. Then mix in violins, flutes and keyboards, and you have Blackkout (and no it’s not a spelling error). This album is long, and sometimes this is not an advantage, as some of the songs flow together a little. Only a handful of songs are really memorable, but every single one is good. I have to say that this reminds me of progressive metal band Psychotic Waltz at times, especially with the use of untraditional instruments.

The album was originally released privately by the band on tape, but in 2010, Arkeyn Records re-released it in a limited to 1000 pressing. The track listing differs a little from the original, as track 18 and 19 are reversed.

Links:

Here is Blackkout live on some TV-show, though not performing a song from this release:


/FMG

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