reax music magazine :: music + culture » Reviews » Black Mountain - In the Future

The folks in Black Mountain have come back swinging with a follow-up album to their self-titled debut. These Vancouver natives have mastered their influences of southern rock and heavy metal to release a musical work that epitomizes these genres, while also expanding their sound to encompass a great deal more. “Tyrants” is a powerful ballad relying heavily on vocals and plodding electric guitar. On the other hand, “Wucan” is a groovy, almost shoegaze, tune that will keep your head bobbing with the bass and mathematical keyboard loop. If you’re yearning for some straight-up rock’n’roll, “Evil Ways” conjures voodoo spirits with its ominous drums and acidic guitar riffs; Stephen McBean’s vocals are drenched in sarcasm as he refuses to relinquish his evil ways. In the Future vacillates between hard and soft, fast and slow, yet remains true to its sound no matter what direction Black Mountain chooses to steer. – Christian Crider