News
Black International’s ‘Shining Swords’ / ‘Nothing Grows Here’ free to download!
"...an epic swirl of rising and falling post-punk intensity." - The A.V. Club
"Deliciously self-aware, the record forces its fingers around the throats of our preconceptions.” - The Skinny
"...a sharply poetic mixture of visceral music and vivid lyrics..." - Clash
Following the success of last year's album release, A Lesson In Repression, Edinburgh noise-rockers Black International are giving away album track, 'Shining Swords' and b-side 'Nothing Grows Here', both available to download on Bandcamp via Good Grief Records.
The video for 'Shining Swords" premiered on The A.V. Club and is now available to stream via Black International's YouTube Channel.
The video was quickly followed by the premiere of the 'Shining Swords' and 'Nothing Grows Here' on Visions Magazine with both now available to download for free on the Black International Bandcamp page.
The Edinburgh two-piece create music that is both abrasive and discordant, yet has an unerring ability to pull you in through a magnetic rhythm section that belies their status as a two man band. Shining Swords ominously kicks off with caustic, grinding guitar, dovetailing beautifully with Craig Peebles' incessant drum beats and the raw, stripped-back vocals of Stewart Allan. The outro sees the band embracing the loud/quiet dynamic as they jump from headbanging breakdowns to a more dream-like, melodic instrumental, thus showcasing a duality to the music they create as well as an ability to explore a number of genres.
Comprised of Stewart Allan (vocals, guitar, keyboard) and Craig Peebles (drums, percussion), Black International released their sophomore album, A Lesson In Repression, in October 2015 having recorded with sound engineer Andrew Bush (The Twilight Sad). The record gained a well of support from many tastemakers within the industry, with coverage coming from the likes of Exclaim! Magazine, The Skinny, Clash Magazine, Visions, Big Cheese, Never Mind The Hype and BBC Radio Scotland.
Black International have also played a number of festivals having appeared at Wickerman, GoNorth, Oxjam, Shetfest and Tramlines as well as supporting the likes of Speedy Ortiz and Die! Die! Die!
'Shining Swords' and b-side 'Nothing Grows Here' are available to download on Bandcamp via Good Grief Records.