Review by Sully Smith
On Friday, July 19th, a powerful new metal force was unleashed on the world with the debut album from Flat Black. Titled “DARK SIDE OF THE BRAIN”, this is the latest effort from former Five Finger Death Punch guitarist Jason Hook. Rounded out with Wes Horton on vocals, Rob Pierce on drums, and Nicholas Diltz on bass, this band out of Las Vegas aims to be a key cog of the metal scene for years to come.
Kicking off the debut effort is “IT’S OK TO BE ANGRY”. With a spoken word interlude that later repeats several times throughout the song, the track quickly launches into a driving searing guitar riff. Horton’s vocals are reminiscent of guys like Aaron Pauley of Of Mice and Men or Matt Walst of Three Days Grace, while the instrumentals are a derivative of the early Five Finger songs Hook helped write. Overall, this song of retribution is a powerful introduction to the rest of the album, quieting doubters and proving Flat Black isn’t pulling punches with their effort.
The second track on the album is “JUSTICE WILL BE DONE”. Sounding like a forgotten track from the American Capitalist era of Five Finger, this ripper is carried by staccato guitars and pounding drums that create a canvas for Horton’s vocals to scream over. This searing track is about desiring payback as the hook of “You may think you’re spared, but justice will be done” seemingly hones in on drama between Hook and his old band, proving there is still fuel to the fire.
Following “JUSTICE” is “SIDEWAYS”. This song speaks to the struggles of trying to improve and advance while being unable to gain solid footing and the fleeting feeling of despair. When Horton sings “I tell myself it’s what I needed, but each time I win I feel defeated”, the self-doubt about Hook leaving his former band to try to forge his own path rings true to the listener.
After “SIDEWAYS” is “A BIT OF LIGHTNING”, a track that slows down the tempo in exchange for more emotion. Horton’s lyrics speak to the struggle to continue persevering through darkness and depression. As the chorus sings “A little bit of lightning to help me through the dark”, these emotions strike a chord while Jason Hook provides a searing guitar solo that lingers long after the song ends.
Next up on the album is “UNWANTED”. Building on the fire found in the track previously, this song about coming to grips after a split uses flashes of distorted brilliance over a backdrop of mostly minor chords and rhythm guitar to show how there’s still anger despite the resolution of the conflict. Horton’s refrain of “I don’t miss you at all” over the final notes shows how the songwriter is realizing the peace of separation.
The sixth track on “DARK SIDE” is “HOME”. The first track with an acoustic guitar part on this album, this song proves something longtime Five Finger fans know, that some of Hook’s best work is on laid back songs that allow a focus on lyricism instead of instrumentals. A soul searching song, this track longs for direction and the instrumentals allow pointed lyrics to shine through to the listener.
The midpoint of the record is “HALO”, one of the few songs previously released that allowed fans a sneak peek at the new project. Haunting piano chords and the ticking of a clock lead into a devastatingly heavy guitar riff perfect for headbanging. This song lives to the old adage that heavy is the head that wears the crown as Horton sings “Bury it all whеn you burn it away. Carry the flaw, every word that you say. Weathering faster underneath your halo.”
Kicking off the B-side of the album is “IT’S YOUR LACK OF RESPECT”. This was the first single released off the record, and one of the hardest charging as staccato guitar riffs and vocals mixing singing with screams singe the air. With clear anger towards the target of the song, this track feels like a forgotten Five Finger song as it features vocals similar to early Ivan Moody work and even a chant in the chorus to get the crowd pumping their fists. This is a great reminder of what Hook and company are capable of, silencing the doubters and proving that despite forging his own path with his new band Flat Black he’s not forgetting his roots.
“NOTHING TO SOME” is the succeeding track, which also was released as a single before the full drop of the album. This is the only piece on the record featuring a guest vocalist, as none other than the legendary Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour lends his voice to the song. A ripping guitar riff complements Taylor’s screams on this track beautifully in an epic headbanger full of defiance.
After “NOTHING” is the titular track of the record. The song showcases the mental struggle of being unsure about a relationship as Horton’s spoken lyrics in the verses about being torn apart are juxtaposed with the soaring chorus hook “But when I’m broken down, you never walk away”. As a whole, this piece shows how stylistic differences can provide different perspectives as the conflict is clearly represented to the listener.
Next up on the album is “VILLAIN”. A Nickelback-esque guitar part paints a landscape for Horton’s vocals to shine over, alongside a driving drum beat that carries through the piece. This track seemingly continues the thread of conflict from the previous song as Horton sings “thought that you were perfect, thought that you were worth it, but now I know that you’re the villain” in the chorus.
The penultimate track on “DARK SIDE” is “TIDAL WAVE”, which is led into by the only introductory track on the album, a 49-second instrumental titled “YOUTH ‘N EYES”. A pinched harmonics-heavy guitar part similar to Staind or Puddle of Mudd leads into an early 2000s-style rock anthem. This is a song about struggling to hold on is a powerful piece of perseverance as Horton sings “it chases me, the pain no one sees” in the hook.
Closing out the album is “LET IT GO”. A pounding drum beat and scorching guitar kick off this riotous track filled with anger about not dwelling on the past and letting every inconvenience affect you. When Horton sings “listen to the sound of your own voice and decide to not give up the fight”, this hymn of rebellion provides the need to keep fighting.
Overall, “DARK SIDE OF THE BRAIN” is a strong introduction of Flat Black to the rock and metal world. Led by the iconic Jason Hook on guitar, the project is backed by Wes Horton on vocals, Rob Pierce on drums, and Nicholas Diltz on bass. While the decision to split from a chart-topping band to forge a new path is never easy, Hook and company show that Flat Black is truly a force to be reckoned with in their own right that won’t be going away any time soon.
