This is the debut album from West Auckland four piece Blackleaf Gardens, and what a debut it is.
All too often I find myself being asked to listen to music and I can't help but hear that one specific musical influence cutting through like a cold shower, this is not one of those albums.
Blackleaf Gardens describe themselves as a Progressive Metal band, and the range of influences you will hear throughout this album is rather outstanding in itself, this is the sound you get when a vast plethora of musical influences get thrown into a great big melting pot and are given to talented metal musicians to play with, and they nailed it.
These guys have worked hard at their trade and it has paid off, from ambient noise to melodic riffery to brutal chugging there is something for most metal fans, they weren't BOTB grand finalists for nothing.
If you want simplistic music with no variation in techniques go look somewhere else, every member of the band gets to showcase an array of talents throughout this album, and these guys are not one trick ponies so if you get bored easily this is potentially the album for you.
I now have another band on my list of “who to see live” and if this album is anything to go by it should be one hell of a show, I'll see you there!
Blackleaf Gardens is a four piece progressive metal band that brings crushing riffs, groovy tune and chaotically progressive rhythms together with catchy bipolar vocals delivering screams through lullabies. Likened to prestigious acts such as Opeth, Mastodon, The Faceless and Tool. The band brings an explosive, bizarre and maniacal performance.
The band formed in 2011 and has been climbing the local music scene with relentless ferocity leaving a lasting impression and building momentum. This has lead the band to open for Lord (Australia), El Schlong as well as many leading local acts.
2012 saw the release of the band's first five track EP "Seedling State," produced entirely by the band, which received repeated radio play and led the band to win the K.I.L.L. (Keep it Live & Loud) competition run by local radio station The Flat FM. The prize included means to record a debut album.