Grand Halls 48

BLACK HOLE – “Land Of Mystery” 1985 (City, Ita) – I remember when I first found a copy of this one several years back. I was always pulling it out, lowering the lights, putting on a black robe and lurking around the house, setting out candles and chanting. Ok, maybe not (well, at least only on weekends) but the point is it’s a very atmospheric record. If you try to comprehend Paul Chain, old Sabbath and throw in some left-field prog stuff like Amon Duul II, Asphalto or New Trolls around “Concerto Grosso II,” you may come up with BLACK HOLE. Just don’t forget to add in a pinch of “Last House On The Left,” because there is also a definite element of Grade B horror film hysteria involved, making me love it all the more. BLACK HOLE is the brainchild of one Robert Measles who, besides playing bass and a bevy of other instruments, sings in a voice that can only be described as wildly original. While these pipes may put some people off to a level where they can’t get into the album, I’d urge you to try as this is a record that makes most doomy music look like child’s play. Truthfully, if just a song like “Obscurity In The Ethereal House” doesn’t make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, you should probably go back to your “The Devil You Know” CD anyway because you’re a wuss. The same can be said for the brilliant title cut and, actually, every one of the 7 somber, ghastly tracks here. Lovers of the good old days of long songs that aren’t simply for length-sake will dig this too, as every song is over 6 minutes and while nothing here is fast, it’s anything but boring. “Land Of Mystery” isn’t the easiest thing in the world to track down but crazy and atmospheric as hell, it’s worth the search and price (there has been at least one CD re-issue). As an added note, BLACK HOLE recorded a 2nd album in 1988 called “Living Mask” that wasn’t released then, but was issued in 2000 and can be found on CD issue. A lot of people don’t like this sophomore effort as it’s even weirder and less metal, but I think it’s quite interesting and worth searching out as well. Mystery, Italian Style