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Pantera. Queensryche. Suicidal Tendencies. Twisted Sister. Saxon. Scorpions. Dio. W.A.S.P. Black Earth was invited to pay tribute to all of these bands on Dwell Records releases.

And although the band is proud of their unique resume, don’t make the mistake to label Black Earth a cover band. On the contrary…this is an ass-kicking original quintet with a very clear understanding of its diverse musical roots.

Formed in 1999 and based in The Midwest, Black Earth set out on a challenge: bring back the attitude of 70's and 80's hard rock/metal and add the aggression and grist of today’s nu metal – without sounding dated.
"Look at the differences in the bands that the tributes are for," says guitarist Travis Crider. "Pantera sounds nothing like Queensryche. Suicidal Tendencies sounds nothing like Dio, and so on. I think that being able to cover this vast spectrum of bands, and do it well, shows how diverse we can be with our original music."

What they produce is an unrelenting force of hard rocking sound that screams allegiance to the metal heroes of days gone by with the kind of crunch that is unmistakably contemporary. Their four-song demo provides a handful of examples. In each, the rhythms are the driving pulse ("Down") that carry an emotive and often demanding vocal intensity ("Together We Stay").

Along with Crider, Black Earth is and Dale Christie (vocals), Duane Conn (bass), Brian Tonne (drums) and Craig Savage (guitar). The band's versatility and diverse influences are clearly intertwined with each other. All of Black Earth's songs come from the heart. The lyrics usually come from the darker side of life experiences -- what they've felt at a certain time: loss, gain, decline of the western civilization -- you name it. The band doesn't sit down with the intention of writing a song that sounds one way or another. In the end, the songs are the feelings of five guys crafted into a single statement.

That statement says metal didn’t start with the nu-metal band's of today – but with many bands before, through many other heydays. Black Earth keeps that in mind with every versatile step.

"Support our Troops"

Get your copy of "Shane's World: #32 Campus Invasion".
Featuring the song "DOWN" from "Black Earth".
Order your copy today.

Reserve your copy of "Tortured Soul 3: The Willing Flesh" From "Nightmare Productions".
Featuring the song "Livin' in Hell" from Black Earth.
Be sure to reserve your copy of "Hotel Hell" also from "Nightmare Productions", featuring
Black Earth's original song "It's The Night".

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