Powerful, perpetual, and optimistically melancholic - premier rock band of Bangladesh releases their third studio album

Powerful, perpetual, and optimistically melancholic
Faizul Khan Tanim finds himself mesmerised and awestruck by Black’s latest work
Finally, rock music is back again in the midst of other reigning fruity genres. Thankfully, Black’s third studio release ‘Abar’ is filled with sound of acoustic instruments and carries the essence of the prevalent international music scene.

Their guitar notes are more emotional than ever. The compositions are built on simple yet energised guitar riffs, kicks, with upbeat imaginative drumming, overwhelming hollered vocals with melodic outline of the song phrases and harmonious bass lines diving into ‘stylish’ without being extravagant guitar solos – a rock music enthusiast’s dream-come-true compilation.

So, welcome to this generation’s midlife emotional crisis because the songs of this compilation speak of just that.

The album’s most sublime rock minutes are probably the duration of track number six Ei Gaan, a song about clutching on to a vengeance against someone – there is a breathtaking lofty vocal line when the words ‘Akbar bolo tumi kamon achoooo’ come through. The core of the song then unfolds into a vocal narration with very interesting guitar riffs in the background making it the punchiest action of the CD and hence could have been chosen to open the album.

Both the title song Abar and track one Manush-Pakhir Gaan narrating all those tensions in a relationship that do not go smoothly, are awesome tracks.

Imagine Black playing in a live concert. As darkness approaches, the arena goes black. Smoke starts to billow from the stage and suddenly, the aroma of high-powered colourful flashes and laser lights flicker to life. The musicians appear on stage with the intro of Abar – the warm guitar riff sound, or during the chorus of Manush-Pakhir Gaan - making the crowd jump and leap in roars - everyone would be mesmerised.

But if there is one song which has to steal all the glory, one song which would confirm illusions of light, through the bubbles in a glass stronger than soft drinks and a place where the grass is green, it is definitely Obosh. The song ‘nailed it’. It is the most mature and sensitive, high composition that starts with a brilliant trumpet intro by the band’s friend Gary Canter and shares with you a perfectly cooked bowl of Bengali ‘emotion sickness’.

Towards the end, the track oozes that amazing sinking feeling as the song hits the line Dubey jachchi ami awleek ghoreyyy.

Black is back with a bang.

From their release of the track ‘Obinoshshor’ in a mixed album in 2002, Black has sent a bold message- that they want to create fresh compositions. As the CD was played on the loop at the launching ceremony, it was clear to fans by that they did not fall short in creating contemporary and creative rock sound, once again.

This title Abar has one of the most superb album covers – a fusion of classic retro style with post-modern alternative rock outlook.

Let the album play a few times over to let the music grow on you. With excellent sound production and great mixing bringing out a warm LIVE sound, and the sheer power and energy of the songs, fans can comfortably look forward to this album as Black’s one of the best-produced CDs.

*The album can be legally downloaded from www.amadergaan.com/shop