Ever since I first heard The Black Queen‘s debut album Fever Daydream, I’ve been hooked. The Black Queen are a revelation among a sea of imposter bands of the genre. Greg Puciato, Josh Eustis and Steve Alexander have created a sound that is inspired and deep. The lush ambient landscapes and 80’s synth wave driven music along with the exceptional vocals and lyrics have made The Black Queen a real force to be reckoned with.
Their new album Infinite Games is superb from start to finish. From the moment “Even Still I Want To” begins all the way to the closing track”One Edge Of Two,” you as the listener get the full album experience. Songs like “Thrown Into The Dark,” “No Accusations,” “Your Move,” “Lies About You,” and “Spatial Boundaries” will instantly grab you. Then there are other songs like “Impossible Condition,” “100 To Zero,” and “Porcelain Veins” that really go deep and take you on a bit of a journey. The album is dark and brooding yet sensual and seductive at the same time.
The combination of the three of these men, Josh, Greg and Steve is astounding. What they have created not only extends on what they started with Fever Daydream but, on Infinite Games, they have created an album that transcends the norm of what synth wave music is as well as paying homage to the bands/artists that have influenced and inspired them without making it a straight derivative of those works. Greg Puciato not only is one of the best frontmen of the last century but he undeniably has one of the best voices as well. His ability to go from The Dillinger Escape Plan to The Black Queen not only shows his versatility as a vocalist but also as a lyricist. The lyrical content explores different emotions and themes that he wouldn’t normally get into while in Dillinger, thus making this a visceral and impassioned adventure.
The Black Queen is calling and you need to make it a point of delving into this album, as well as Fever Daydream.
Overall Rating: A
The Black Queen- Infinite Games:
The Black Queen- Fever Daydream:
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