With all of the bad news coming out of the area of St. Louis, MO in the recent past – particularly in relation to multiple van break-ins and equipment thefts – it’d be nice to hear something positive related to metal out of the Gateway to the West. Enter progressive blackened thrashers Black Fast, who are from Edwardsville, IL, which is just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. After forming in 2010 and self-releasing an album called Starving Out the Light, signed to eOne in November 2014.
In a press release from eOne, it’s revealed that Black Fast will soon be heading into Mana Studios in St. Petersburg, FL with veteran producer Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, Hate Eternal, Six Feet Under) to record their yet unnamed eOne debut LP. Front man Aaron Akin had this to say about the upcoming experience(s):
We can’t wait to work with Erik Rutan! Erik is a legend. Excited doesn’t even do justice to the mind frame we are in. I’ve followed his work for over a decade, and he’s been at it for way longer than that. I mean, it’s f**king Eric Rutan! We are very grateful for the opportunity and hungry to get down to business and make the album we’ve always dreamed of making. Expect the type of bombardment not seen since the Hadean, only hotter! We can’t wait to see you all on the road!
Erik Rutan himself added the following:
“I am very excited to work with Black Fast. They have a very unique style with a ton of energy, creativity, and a certain aggressiveness and fire rarely seen in this day and age of music. From the moment I first heard them I knew that we would be a great pairing in making a massive album. Their potential is limitless and their originality and creativity shows no boundaries. I look forward to bringing out the best of them in their performances and helping craft a masterful record!”
As a native St. Louisan, I myself have been witness to the talent and potential that Black Fast possesses. Combining the schools of both Bay-area thrash and the timeless dark, desperate energy of black and death metal, the band’s unique aggression and incredible speed and style is sure to make even the most skeptical metalhead’s fingers feel bloodied even by listening to their riffs. Exciting things seem to finally be coming out of the St. Louis area, and hopefully ways to curb band thefts, even if it means scaring culprits away by catching them in the act.
