It would seem to be that whenever we think of what the realm of punk rock is capable of, most of us tend to immediately think of intense, brief bursts of energy and rage done in such a fashion that’s as hostile as it is infectious when done right. There is nothing wrong with that whatsoever, but there is always more to the sound than what such a notion would imply should a band simply take a slightly different turn during the crafting of their material. Blacklist has been a name that the punk rock scene has been desperately missing since their last album thirteen years ago, but it’s with every possible facet of “Afterworld” that anyone who falls into this record should be nothing short of hypnotized and left in awe.

They say time changes, but that doesn’t seem to be much the case when it comes to the very sound of Blacklist. Despite having influences from the realm of punk rock that to my ears still play a big part of their sound, it doesn’t take any sort of expert to realize that there is much more happening with this band’s distinctive sound with every minute of the ten tracks offered to us here with “Afterworld” the absolute epitome of what it means to not only make your sound your own but to truly flesh it out into an undeniable, gripping work of aural art. Overflowing with shoegaze and anthems pulled right from the world of heavy metal but morphed into a coldwave form that is all but entrancing, I would be lying to you if I said I knew how much time I’ve lost to this record. The moment you hit play and the auras, rhythms, and smoothness of Blacklist come into effect in all of their glory, it doesn’t take any time at all for you to become hooked. This is a creation that shows beautifully what it means to truly entrance your listener right from the get-go as each and every track from this marvelous comeback shows us precisely what this sound is able to deliver with the right people behind the helm, and I don’t know if there are any better musicians than those of Blacklist. It’s a comeback the likes of which many can only ever hope to accomplish, and Blacklist makes “Afterworld” feel like it can outright naturally to their clearly talented hands.

While it is ever-so tempting for me to deem this record as something that falls cleanly in the world of punk rock, it’s by their own nature and prowess that Blacklist refuses to let such a reality come to life. The very essence of a creation like this is to defy our expectations whether it comes to how utterly ethereal “Afterworld” is in its entirety to how viciously infectious and intoxicating is all the way unto its very end, and I’ve little doubt that we will be blessed with another creation like this for some time, likely not until Blacklist returns to us again. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

“Afterworld” releases on October 28th via Profound Lore Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Afterworld” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Blacklist on Facebook here.