Black Math Horseman-Wylt

TeePee
2009

If I were judging music solely by band titles then prior to cracking open the case I figured this LA based act was to be heavy and the songs would be lengthy. Low and behold they turned out to be both yet a whole lot more as well. If I had to describe the Black Math Horseman in one word then the first one that pops into my mind is deceptive. In their music at first seems very basic as they focus on very simple and often singular sounds. Yet like some sort of sonic quicksand their music pulls you in and before you know it you are enveloped by sound. There is so much more to this band then there appears to be. They rely greatly on tones and repetition. That sounds easy, but the tones are rich and thick as molasses. The band uses repetition on numerous riffs on every song yet it never gets old because they how to serve it up. They know how to milk the nuances from every tiny part. Like the band name they ride through dark, shadow passages hitting a gallop when needed and slowing the motion down when called for as well. If there is one thing that sets this band apart it's that they don't push too hard. They are content to let the music flow and eventually it take on a life of it's own. Now this kind of subtle drone isn't for everyone, it can be tedious at first and some songs do blend together a little. Yet in the proper mood, this is an album where the band really pulled out as much as possible out of everything they did on this album.

www.myspace.com/blackmathhorseman