This is the fifth album from US heavy metallers Black Sites.
2021’s Untrue and 2024’s The Promised Land? were both quality metal records, so For Eternity appearing on the horizon was most welcome. Black Sites keep regularly pumping out good music, and album number five is no different in this regard. With a new lineup in tow, Black Sites deliver a masterclass in song-based heavy metal.
Black Sites typically deal in a hybrid mix of heavy and progressive metal, (with a touch of thrash). However, it’s quickly apparent that across these 46 minutes of new material, some reorienting has occurred. Black Sites still incorporate elements both old-school and new, but now there’s much more of the former on For Eternity. With a greater emphasis on their classic heavy metal influences, it’s a shift in style rather than a complete reimagining, but it works for them extremely well. Their more contemporary progressive side can still be felt on occasion, but in a lesser capacity. For Eternity has an effortless, authentic old-school feeling, and it rules. As a rough guide, if you mix aspects of Iron Maiden, Queensrÿche, and Savatage together, then throw in a splash of doom metal, you’ll have an initial idea of where For Eternity is coming from.
Black Sites have always known how to write a metal song, but the eight tracks on For Eternity are especially potent. Each one is a winner in its own right. String them together into a full record, and you have something pretty special.
The hooks are strong, with the music built around the increasingly formidable voice of the singer. With power and presence, his singing crowns the music with charismatic depth. He sounds more confident than ever with his performance, and why wouldn’t he be? All of the band members put in the work, but it’s important that a band like this have a great singer, and Black Sites have one more than ever. As mentioned though, the rest of the band members also excel in their roles. In particular, the guitars burn with metallic might. Some of the leads and solos are especially notable, delivering a shot of affecting melodic colour right into the veins.
For Eternity has a lot of character and personality. It’s also really damn good. It’s probably an unlooked for contender for the traditional metal crown of 2026, and it’s highly likely to take it too. Basically, Black Sites have created a first class metal album, and if you’re a fan of the style, then this is an utterly essential listen.
Wonderbox Metal 