Blackfinger – “When Colors Fade Away” [Album Review]

As a massive fan of Eric Wagner, especially his work with the legendary doom outfit Trouble, I was more than stoked to get my hands on his latest Blackfinger effort, When Colors Fade Away. I know there are a lot of people, like myself, who have grown up listening to Wagner and his various project but I have to tell you, the moment he begins singing on disc opener “When Colors Fade Away” it was like being reunited with an old friend.

Wagner has a voice and a gloomy presence about him that, at least to me, is like no other. He has a way of sucking you into his narrative, you literally feel every melancholic word. Let’s face it, Wagner has always been associated with dark, gloomy lyrics and this record is no exception. However, I feel that he is at his best wallowing in the depths of despair.

Musically, as you might expect, Blackfinger are a powerful, doomy outfit with a bit of a twist as they incorporate a slight tinge of jazz fusion throughout the record which adds an interesting dimension to the sound. Don’t get the wrong idea though, When Colors Fade Away is a melancholy banger.

On a side note, the nerdy sound engineer in me can’t help but mention the incredibly pristine production on this record. The drum sounds (especially the snare) are some of the best I have heard in a long time, and the bass is punchy and prominent but never muddy. This album seems to be flying under the radar and deserves way more attention. I highly suggest checking out this gem, it is terrific!

When Colors Fade Away Track Listing:

01. When Colors Fade Away
02. Can I Get A Witness
03. All My Sorrow
04. My Old Soul
05. Afternow
06. Beside Still Water
07. Waiting For The Sun
08. Till We Meet Again

Run Time: 39 minutes
Release Date: September 15, 2017

Check out the lyric video for the title track “When Colors Fade Away”