Okay, so remember BLACK MAP? Yeah, those Cali alt-rockers we totally forgot to talk about since 2022? Turns out they’ve been busy – not just napping! After signing with Spinefarm (seriously, who names these labels? Spinal Farm? Sounds like a chiropractic theme park), they’ve dropped their fourth album Hex. Nine tracks of post-hardcore goodness that probably make your neighbor’s garage band cry into their tuning pedals. Released May 9th – mark it as the day your eardrums got a free gym membership.
Frontman Ben Flanagan – who also moonlights as bassist and, I assume, a caffeine addict – had this to say about their new material:
“More than any of our previous records, as we were writing and recording this album, we couldn’t stop thinking about how much fun it was going to be to play these songs live. We’re so excited to get out there this summer and play them for our fans.”
(Translation: “WE’RE COMING TO YOUR TOWN AND WE’RE PLAYING LOUD.”)
TOUR ALERT: MOSH PITS AND MIDWESTERN ADVENTURES
The Hex Tour kicks off in July, because what says “summer vibes” like raspy vocals and breakdowns? Pro tip: Bring earplugs to these shows unless you want to explain to your boss why you’re humming post-hardcore riffs in tomorrow’s Zoom meeting:
- 07/18 Oceanside, CA @ Pour House
- 07/19 Los Angeles, CA @ Harvard & Stone
- 07/23 Mesa, AZ @ The Underground
- 07/25 Denver, CO @ Marquis
- 07/28 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
- 07/29 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Lounge
BUT WAIT – THERE’S MORE! In September, BLACK MAP will play fairy godmother to EVANESCENCE’s Midwest shows. You know, EVANESCENCE? The band that taught us all how to dramatically whisper “WAKE ME UP” in 2003? Fun fact: Amy Lee’s hair alone could headline stadiums. Catch them here:
- 09/18 Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum
- 09/19 St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
🔥 Bonus Artist Tidbits 🔥
– BLACK MAP’s members include alumni from bands like Dredg and Far. Rock ‘n’ roll recycling!
– EVANESCENCE’s “Bring Me To Life” has been covered approximately 8.7 million times on YouTube. None are better than your cousin’s air piano version.
