Hellfire (Black Midi album)

Last updated

Hellfire
Black Midi - Hellfire.png
Studio album by
Black Midi
Released15 July 2022 (2022-07-15)
Recorded13 June – 13 August 2021
StudioHoxa HQ (London)
Genre
Length38:54
Label Rough Trade
Producer Marta Salogni
Black Midi chronology
Cavalcade
(2021)		Hellfire
(2022)
Singles from Hellfire
  1. "Welcome to Hell"
    Released: 9 May 2022
  2. "Eat Men Eat"
    Released: 15 June 2022
  3. "Sugar/Tzu"
    Released: 12 July 2022

Hellfire is the third studio album by English rock band Black Midi, released on 15 July 2022 on Rough Trade Records. [1] The band recorded the majority of the album over a thirteen-day period with producer Marta Salogni, who had previously worked with the band in recording the song "John L" from their second studio album.

Contents

Released to critical acclaim, the album was preceded by the singles "Welcome to Hell", "Eat Men Eat", and "Sugar/Tzu", and entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 22, becoming the band's highest-charting album to date. During the writing and recording process, the band experimented with first-person narratives, and expanded upon their sound with the introduction of cabaret, country, flamenco, and show tune influences. [2] [3] After touring in promotion of the album throughout the rest of 2022 and 2023, Black Midi announced an indefinite hiatus in August 2024. [4]

Background and composition

Hellfire was written while the band was isolating in London, with singer Geordie Greep calling Hellfire "an epic action film [...] if Cavalcade was a drama". He described the characters depicted in the album as being "scumbag[s]. Almost everything I write is from a true thing, something I experienced and exaggerated and wrote down. I don't believe in Hell, but all that old world folly is great for songs." [5]

Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of Hellfire's songs were debuted during the band's 2021–2022 tour in support of Cavalcade. The bulk of the album was recorded in thirteen days, [6] with additional members Kaidi Akinnibi (saxophone) and Seth Evans (keyboards) contributing to the recording process.

Musically, 25 Years Later labeled Hellfire an experimental rock album, [7] with Beats Per Minute describing the album's sound as primarily comprising progressive rock, jazz fusion, and post-punk. [8] Exclaim! saw Black Midi become jazz-rockers for Hellfire, [2] while DIY noted their use of art rock's pacing and precision. [9] Alongside their prog stylings, cabaret, country, flamenco, and show tunes influences appear. [2] [3]

Recording

The band entered the studio with a "preliminary tracklist" for the album in mind: "[It] allowed us to give more space for the transition and general shape of the record, to help each song complement each other, rather than just feeling random or anything like that. That way, when you have a jarring change, it's welcomed." [10]

Release

During the band's 2022 tour, shirts saying "Welcome to Hell" were sold with the date of 15 July 2022 hidden in a phone number. Many previously unreleased songs from Hellfire were performed by the band on the tour. The first week of May the band posted teaser clips and a Tetris-like browser game, featuring a MIDI version of their song "Welcome to Hell". On 9 May, the band revealed their third studio album and released the song as a single with a video directed by Gustaf Holtenäs, who also directed the video for "Slow" from Cavalcade . [11] On 15 June, a new single titled "Eat Men Eat" was released and features a music video by Maxim Kelly. On 12 July, the third single, "Sugar/Tzu" was released with a video directed by Noel Paul. [12] On 14 July 2022, the band hosted a listening party on their YouTube channel, playing the entire album. [13]

Selected vinyl pre-orders of Hellfire came with flexi discs of several of the band's tracks throughout their career, all recorded live at Electrical Audio by Steve Albini in November 2021. [14] [15]

During the week of the album's release, the UK suffered a heatwave which was described as "hellfire" by several news outlets. [16] On 19 July, where the temperature rose to a record high of 40.3 °C, Black Midi drove an ice cream van across London, selling Hellfire, ice creams, and limited edition merchandise. [17]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 79/100 [18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [19]
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Exclaim! 9/10 [2]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [20]
The Line of Best Fit 9/10 [21]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [22]
Paste 8.6/10 [23]
Pitchfork 7.8/10 [24]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]

Hellfire received a score of 79 out of 100 based on twenty-two critics' reviews at review aggregator Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable" reception. [18] Steve Erickson of Slant Magazine described the album as a "concept album ripe for repeat listens" designed to be heard in its entirety, which "engages with rock's history while simultaneously taking it in imaginative new directions". [3] Writing for The Line of Best Fit , Kyle Kohner found Hellfire to be Black Midi at "their most devilish and maniacal", sounding "miraculously and hideously new, proving their aversion to any mindless repetition". [21]

Comparing the album to the band's previous work, Paul Simpson at AllMusic claimed that, "While their 2019 debut, Schlagenheim , was an overloaded, volatile mixture of post-punk and math rock, somewhat resembling a no wave band who grew up watching too much Ren & Stimpy, 2021's Cavalcade found the group exploring a lushly orchestrated avant-prog sound, switching between spiky, angular workouts and softer, more patient compositions. Hellfire moves further in this direction, but with a greater sense of showmanship. Lead vocalist Geordie Greep sounds more like a delirious carnival barker than before, and the music brings to mind Mr. Bungle and Fred Frith more so than the King Crimson-isms of Black Midi's past work." [19]

Track listing

Hellfire track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Hellfire"1:24
2."Sugar/Tzu"3:50
3."Eat Men Eat"3:08
4."Welcome to Hell"4:09
5."Still"5:46
6."Half Time"0:26
7."The Race Is About to Begin"7:15
8."Dangerous Liaisons"4:14
9."The Defence"2:59
10."27 Questions"5:43
Total length:38:54

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of the album.

Black Midi

Additional performers

Production

Artwork

Charts

Chart performance for Hellfire
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [25] 45
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [26] 90
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [27] 177
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [28] 41
Irish Albums (IRMA) [29] 65
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [30] 24
Scottish Albums (OCC) [31] 7
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [32] 67
UK Albums (OCC) [33] 22
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [34] 4
US Billboard 200 [35] 139

Related Research Articles

<i>Back in Black</i> 1980 studio album by AC/DC

Back in Black is the seventh studio album by Australian rock band AC/DC, released on 25 July 1980, by Albert Productions and Atlantic Records. It was the band's first album to feature Brian Johnson as lead singer, following the death of their previous vocalist Bon Scott.

<i>Screaming for Vengeance</i> 1982 studio album by Judas Priest

Screaming for Vengeance is the eighth studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 1 July 1982 by Columbia Records. Considered the band's commercial breakthrough in North America, it has been certified double platinum in the United States and platinum in Canada. Screaming for Vengeance spawned the hit "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", which became one of the band's signature songs and a perennial radio favourite.

<i>Hell Freezes Over</i> 1994 live album by the Eagles

Hell Freezes Over is the second live album by the Eagles, released in 1994. The album is the first to be released after the Eagles had reformed following a fourteen-year break up. The band's lineup was that of the Long Run era: Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Don Felder, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit. It contains four new studio tracks and eleven tracks recorded live in April 1994 for an MTV special. Two Top 40 Mainstream singles, "Get Over It" and "Love Will Keep Us Alive", were released from the album. It also features an acoustic version of "Hotel California". The four new studio recordings are the last to feature Don Felder, who was fired from the band in 2001.

<i>The Fire Inside</i> (Bob Seger album) Album by Bob Seger

The Fire Inside is the fourteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Seger. The album was released in mid 1991 on the record label, Capitol. It was Seger's first album of entirely new music since Like a Rock in 1986. Though credited to "The Silver Bullet Band", much of the album used guest and session musicians, with limited contributions from Silver Bullet Band members. Among the guest artists on the album are Joe Walsh, Bruce Hornsby, Roy Bittan, Steve Lukather, Don Was, Waddy Wachtel, Rick Vito, Mike Campbell, Patty Smyth, Lisa Germano, and Kenny Aronoff.

<i>Mighty ReArranger</i> 2005 studio album by Robert Plant & The Strange Sensation

Mighty ReArranger is English rock singer Robert Plant's eighth solo album and the first one with his band "Strange Sensation". It was released internationally on 25 April 2005, on 9 May in the United Kingdom and 10 May in the United States.

<i>Junction Seven</i> 1997 studio album by Steve Winwood

Junction Seven is the seventh solo studio album by English musician and songwriter Steve Winwood, released in June 1997. The album broke the Top 40 in the UK but did not sell well in the US, and Winwood took a six-year break from making solo albums. This album was co-produced with Narada Michael Walden, while Winwood's wife Eugenia co-wrote several songs. Des'ree provided vocals on 'Plenty Lovin'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John L</span> 2021 single by Black Midi

"John L" is a song by English rock band Black Midi, released in 2021 as the lead single from their second studio album, Cavalcade. The song describes the story of a powerful leader, the titular John L, who is eventually betrayed and killed by his followers. It was released on March 23, with the B-side Despair and a music video directed by Nina McNeely. A 12-inch release for the single was made available for pre-order on the same day and released on April 9. The song is one of few on Cavalcade to have writing credits for guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, written before his departure from the band but recorded after.

<i>Yours, Dreamily,</i> 2015 studio album by the Arcs

Yours, Dreamily, is the debut album by the Arcs, a side-project by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. The album was released on September 4, 2015.

<i>American Utopia</i> 2018 studio album by David Byrne

American Utopia is the eighth studio album by Scottish-American rock musician David Byrne, released on March 9, 2018 through Todo Mundo and Nonesuch Records. The release is his first solo studio album since 2004's Grown Backwards, and serves as a musical component of a larger multimedia project titled Reasons to Be Cheerful, which attempts to spread positivity. Byrne announced the album and released its lead single, "Everybody's Coming to My House", on January 8, 2018. A second single, "This Is That", was released on January 31.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Midi</span> English rock band

Black Midi were an English rock band from London, formed in 2017. Their most recent line-up consisted of lead vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Geordie Greep and Cameron Picton, along with drummer Morgan Simpson. Between 2017 and 2020, the band also included guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin. Following his departure, the trio were frequently joined by multi-instrumentalist Seth Evans and saxophonist Kaidi Akinnibi, both as session musicians and during live performances. Their name is derived from the Japanese electronic music genre black MIDI, though their own music has no relation to it, instead incorporating styles such as math rock, progressive rock, post-punk, and avant-jazz.

<i>Schlagenheim</i> 2019 studio album by Black Midi

Schlagenheim is the debut studio album by English rock band Black Midi, released on 21 June 2019 through Rough Trade Records. The band recorded the majority of the album over a five-day period with producer Dan Carey at his studio in South London. Throughout its recording, the band made the conscious decision not to replicate their live set, embellishing their four-piece setup with synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines, banjos and organs.

<i>The Black Midi Anthology Vol. 1: Tales of Suspense and Revenge</i> 2020 compilation album by Black Midi

The Black Midi Anthology Vol. 1: Tales of Suspense and Revenge is an anthology album by English rock band Black Midi, self-released on 5 June 2020. The album was released as a download only, exclusively to Bandcamp, as part of the website's monthly revenue waiver to support artists during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Country, New Road</span> English rock band

Black Country, New Road are an English rock band formed in Cambridge in 2018. The original founders of the band consisted of Tyler Hyde, Lewis Evans, Georgia Ellery, May Kershaw, Charlie Wayne and Isaac Wood ; they added their then-seventh member, guitarist Luke Mark, in 2019.

<i>Cavalcade</i> (Black Midi album) 2021 studio album by Black Midi

Cavalcade is the second studio album by English rock band Black Midi. It was released on 28 May 2021, through Rough Trade Records. The album was primarily recorded in the summer of 2020 with producer John "Spud" Murphy, with the exception of the song "John L", which was recorded beforehand with Marta Salogni. The album marks the final appearance of guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, who left the band on 2021 citing mental health reasons, however, Kwasniewski-Kelvin has songwriting credits on the songs "John L" and "Chondromalacia Patella".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugar/Tzu</span> 2022 single by Black Midi

"Sugar/Tzu" is a song by English rock band Black Midi, released in 2022 as the third single from their third studio album, Hellfire. The song tells the story of a futuristic boxing match wherein one of the contenders is assassinated by a young boy. It was released with a music video directed by Noel Paul that went on to win "Best Cinematography in a Video" at the 2022 UK Music Video Awards. A live recording of the song at Electrical Audio was released on flexi disc and bundled with copies of Hellfire sold in independent record stores in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to Hell (song)</span> 2022 single by Black Midi

"Welcome to Hell" is a song by English rock band Black Midi, released in 2022 as the lead single from their third studio album, Hellfire. A satirical anti-war song, "Welcome to Hell" tells the story of Tristan Bongo, a soldier who engages in hedonistic acts while on shore leave to dull the trauma he has endured during war.

<i>True North</i> (A-ha album) 2022 studio album by A-ha

True North is the eleventh studio album by Norwegian band A-ha. It was released on 21 October 2022 by RCA and Sony Music. The album's opening track "I'm In" was released as the first single on 8 July 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geordie Greep</span> English musician (born 1999)

Geordie Wade Greep is an English musician. From 2017 to 2024, he was the frontman and lead guitarist of the rock band Black Midi, often considered part of the emerging wave of British rock music known as the Windmill scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slow (Black Midi song)</span> 2021 single by Black Midi

"Slow" is a song by English rock band Black Midi, released in 2021 as the second single from their second studio album, Cavalcade. The song's narrative is that of an idealistic revolutionary being shot after a coup d'etat.

<i>The New Sound</i> 2024 studio album by Geordie Greep

The New Sound is the debut solo studio album by English musician Geordie Greep, released on 4 October 2024 on Rough Trade Records. The album was produced by Black Midi touring and session member Seth Evans, with co-production from Greep.

References

  1. ↑ Rettig, James (9 May 2022). "Black Midi Announce New Album Hellfire, Share 'Welcome To Hell'". Stereogum . Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Brasil, Sydney (12 July 2022). "black midi Burn Bright in 'Hellfire'". Exclaim! . Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Erickson, Steve (11 July 2022). "Black Midi Hellfire Review: A Concept Album Ripe for Repeat Listens". Slant Magazine . Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  4. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (11 August 2024). "Black Midi 'Indefinitely Over,' Singer of Acclaimed British Band Says". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  5. ↑ Owen, Matt (11 May 2022). "Black Midi announce third album, Hellfire, unleash sinister lead single, Welcome to Hell". Guitar World . Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  6. ↑ Jeff, Oskar (8 July 2022). "Black Midi and the Holy Grail". Loud & Quiet . Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  7. ↑ Cader, Jahan (15 July 2022). "Black Midi: Hellfire — Showtunes for the Apocalypse". 25 Years Later. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  8. ↑ Wohlmacher, John (15 July 2022). "Album Review: Black Midi - Hellfire". Beats Per Minute . Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  9. 1 2 Grice, Alisdair (13 July 2022). "black midi – Hellfire review". DIY . Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  10. ↑ Mitchell, Matt (15 July 2022). "black midi Rage on as Hellfire Rises". Paste . Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  11. ↑ Aubrey, Elizabeth (9 May 2022). "Black Midi share new song 'Welcome To Hell' and unveil details of new album". NME . Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  12. ↑ Rettig, James (12 July 2022). "Black Midi – "Sugar/Tzu"". Stereogum . Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  13. ↑ "black midi - Hellfire - Listening Party". YouTube . 14 July 2022.
  14. ↑ "black midi (@bmblackmidi) • Instagram". Instagram. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  15. ↑ "black midi Announce New Album "Hellfire" Out 15th July". Rough Trade Records. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  16. ↑ Farrer, Martin (20 July 2022). "'Hellfire': what the papers say about UK's hottest ever day". The Guardian . Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  17. ↑ Shutler, Ali (19 July 2022). "Black Midi to man their own ice cream van as heatwave hits UK". NME . Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  18. 1 2 "Hellfire by Black Midi Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  19. 1 2 Simpson, Paul (15 July 2022). "black midi – Hellfire Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic . Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  20. ↑ Mongredien, Phil (17 July 2022). "Black Midi: Hellfire review – exhilarating ambition". The Guardian . Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  21. 1 2 Kohner, Kyle (11 July 2022). "Hellfire is Black Midi at their most devilish and maniacal". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  22. ↑ Price, Andy (14 July 2022). "Black Midi – 'Hellfire' review: intense first-person narratives fuel a genre-gnarling thrill ride". NME . Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  23. ↑ Friedman, Jason (14 July 2022). "black midi Take You to Hell and Back on Their Thrilling Joyride Hellfire". Paste . Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  24. ↑ Greene, Jayson (15 July 2022). "Black Midi: Hellfire". Pitchfork . Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  25. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Black Midi – Hellfire". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Black Midi – Hellfire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Black Midi – Hellfire" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Midi – Hellfire" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  29. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Black Midi". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  30. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – Black Midi – Hellfire". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  32. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Black Midi – Hellfire". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  33. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  34. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  35. ↑ "Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/2)..." Billboard on Twitter. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.