Progressive metallers BLACK SITES have an all new album coming out in the spring time titled "Exile". The band goes on to talk about this album and their future planning at the current time.
1. Let's start off with an icebreaker. If you could describe your band in 3 words, what would they be?
"Asshole, Jackoff, Scumbag."
2. What are your names and what do you do in the band?
We are: Mark Sugar (vocals/guitar), Ryan Bruchert (guitar), Garry Naples (drums) and José Salazar (bass).
3. You guys are a newer band so many people might know about your history. Would you be able to delve into it a little?
I got the idea to start this band in late 2015. I recruited some friends and ended up making an album called In Monochrome, which came out in 2017. After that, there were some lineup changes, health issues, and other behind-the-scenes happenings, leading up to the present day and the release of our new record Exile, which I'm pretty stoked about.
4. Where does the name Black Sites come from?
It was always there. Even when I started writing the very first songs for this project, I thought "this band's called Black Sites" for some reason. We live in Chicago, and the police here have been known to have actual black sites -- secret buildings where they would interrogate and torture people. That was in the news quite a bit at the time, so maybe that's what got me thinking of it. The Misery Index song of the same name may have been a factor as well.
5. Who are some of your influences?
Speaking for myself, the first people that come to mind are Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), James Hetfield (Metallica), Piggy (Voivod), Doug Pinnick (King's X), Greg Edwards (Failure), and John Cobbett (Hammers Of Misfortune).6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
The subject matter is pretty all over the place -- some of it could be considered "personal" or introspective, but more of it is about the human condition in general (especially on our new album).
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
We do. The process goes a little like this:
1. Write songs
2. ???
3. Profit
In all seriousness, what usually happens is that I'll put together a demo version of a song at home, present it to the band, and we'll work on it together from there. Nothing too exciting, sorry.
8. What was the recording process like for this new album of yours?
Pretty laid-back. Other than the drums, the majority of it was recorded at my home studio, which meant that I got to sing and play guitar with nobody bothering me! We then sent it to the infamous Sanford Parker to mix, and his influence on the sound of this album was immeasurable.
9. Would you say that you have a favorite song off this album and which is it and why?
I have a different favorite song every week from this album. I think they're all good enough that it's impossible for me to choose a favorite.
10. Why should people go forth and check out this album?
There's a little something for everyone on it. And it'll only take 45 minutes of your time, so you don't really have anything to lose.
11. What would you say separates you from other bands in the scene?I can confidently say that there is no band out there currently that sounds like us, for better or for worse.
12. How about this next year, what is in store from you guys?
We'll be doing some shows, and seeing what opportunities come our way as far as that goes. I'm always working on new material as well.
https://blacksites.bandcamp.com/album/exile.
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