Black Midi – Hellfire

The first single from it has the feel-good title "Welcome To Hell". "Hellfire" was written in seclusion in London after the release of its predecessor "Cavalcade" and builds on the melodic and harmonic elements of its predecessor while expanding on the brutality and intensity of the debut "Schlagenheim". As Greep describes it, "If Cavalcade was a drama, "Hellfire" is like an epic action movie," dealing with overlapping themes of pain, loss and fear. It is their most thematically coherent and thoughtful album to date."

While the stories of "Cavalcade" were told in the third person, "Hellfire" tells its stories from the first person perspective of a morally questionable character. There are direct dramatic monologues that appeal to our depraved sense of right and wrong. One is never quite sure whether to laugh or be horrified. "Welcome To Hell" tells the story of a dissolute soldier's excesses and his discharge from military service, punctuated by funky guitar lines, driving horns and gnarly vocals. The video was directed by Gustaf Holtenäs, who also directed the video for "Slow".

The creation of "Hellfire" took only six months and began with a riff at one of the group's jams, which evolved into the futuristic boxing drama "Sugar/Tzu." The range and power, as well as the strong production, of Black Midi's music has never been greater than on the new album, thanks in part to producer Marta Salogni, who previously worked with the band on the "Cavalcade" opener "John L." But as always, the kind of music Black Midi play is not as important as its quality. And whatever you think about Black Midi's music, it's what you feel when you actually listen to it that matters.