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Hellfire
Rock · 2022 · 10 tracks · 38m

Hellfire

black midi's third album is a dizzying, theatrical maelstrom of progressive rock, jazz fusion, and post-punk. Expect intricate shifts and intense storytelling.

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"Hellfire" is a sonic carnival of controlled chaos, an album that feels less like a collection of songs and more like a high-octane, theatrical production.

"Hellfire" is a sonic carnival of controlled chaos, an album that feels less like a collection of songs and more like a high-octane, theatrical production. It plunges the listener into a world populated by "scumbag" characters and "old world folly," delivered with black midi's signature blend of math rock precision, jazz fusion complexity, and post-punk ferocity. The music is dense, constantly shifting, and demands full attention, rewarding it with intricate arrangements and a palpable sense of restless energy. It's an album that thrives on tension and release, on unexpected turns and virtuosic performances that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Hellfire · vs · black midi
Storytelling+2.2σ

The writing leans far further into storytelling than the rest of the catalogue.

Tracklist · 10 Tracks · 38m
01
Hellfire
1:24
02
Sugar/Tzu
3:51
03
Eat Men Eat
3:08
04
Welcome to Hell
4:10
05
Still
5:46
06
Half Time
0:26
07
The Race Is About to Begin
7:15
08
Dangerous Liaisons
4:14
09
The Defence
2:59
10
27 Questions
5:43
Moments Worth Waiting For
The sudden, jarring shift from intricate jazz fusion to raw post-punk aggression in the middle of a track, perhaps "Welcome to Hell".
The moment a theatrical, almost spoken-word vocal delivery gives way to a full-band explosive crescendo, showcasing Geordie Greep's range.
The intricate, interlocking guitar and drum patterns that build to a dizzying climax on a track like "Sugar/Tzu", demonstrating their math rock precision.
The unexpected introduction of a flamenco-inspired guitar passage or a brass flourish that completely recontextualizes a song's mood.
Reviews
Slant Magazine4/ 5 stars
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Pitchfork7.8/ 10
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Paste8.6/ 10
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NME4/ 5 stars
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The Line of Best Fit9/ 10
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plattentests.de
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The Guardian4/ 5 stars
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Exclaim!9/ 10
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DIY4/ 5 stars
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Metacritic79/ 100
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AllMusic3.5/ 5 stars
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