Black Oak County – ‘Theatre Of The Mind’ (Mighty Music)

By Lizzi Maxwell

Denmark’s Black Oak County are back with a brand-new album titled ‘Theatre Of The Mind’. The album was recorded in Hansen Studio owned by Jacob Hensen (Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, Volbeat) and is due to be unleashed on 26 April. The band first formed as a quartet in June 2012 and within the first couple of years they had played and headlined some major festivals in Denmark. This latest release follows on from their debut self-titled album in 2017 and although the wait has been long since then, has it been worth it?

So, first things first, Black Oak County are no longer a quartet, they are now a trio after vocalist Niel Beier chose to leave the band and music altogether in 2017. Rather than replace him, the guys decided to continue as a trio with bassist Rene Hjelm taking up lead vocals. Making up the trio are Jack Svendsen (guitars) and Nike Svendsen (drums). With the change in vocals implemented the band are back stronger and ready to show they still retain the energy and enthusiasm that people remember from their debut that made them fans in the first place. Now, having signed with Mighty Music in 2016, the band are ready to unleash their sound of big heavy riffs, catchy choruses and plenty of epic guitar solos to the world again!

‘Watch Your Back’ opens the album with a modern rock edge and angry power guitar, I really dug this as an opener, as a sort of introduction to what’s to come. ‘Just Another Psycho’, is great also as is ‘Pretty Pistol’, a track where you hear the bands influences like Black Stone Cherry, Alter Bridge come through the most. ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’, will have you nodding your head along to this one with the great melody which continues going in the recently released second single ‘Wasted Life’ and ‘I Know That You’re Lonely’, a track with a chorus so catchy you will find yourself singing along to hours later!

Nearing the end of the album comes ‘Sycophanic’, which is a real standout of the album to me where all the sounds experimented with in the album sort of all come together to create the perfect balance of sounds. ‘Stick To My Guns’ is probably the closest in tune with the debut album, so fans of the bands earlier stuff should find something they like here, it’s harder and heavier as is the albums closer and title track ‘Theatre Of The Mind’.

‘Theatre Of The Mind’ is just that, it’s a musical of what goes on in one’s mind. The lyrics are honest and relatable and it’s as hard hitting as it is catchy. I’d love a hard copy myself. There’s nostalgic vibe with the early 2000’s modern rock edge to it and perhaps is a little more pop-rock than the last release but I really liked that about it. Who doesn’t like nostalgic feelings coming through music, transporting us back to often happier memories when you were carefree and leaving you with a smile on our face as you’re left reminiscing?

Yeah, some people don’t like change, but change happens all the time, it is called evolving. When Beier left the band, they had a choice to keep on going, which would involve change, or give it up. Some fans may not gel with the change in the beginning, or perhaps not at all, but as a new fan of this band I’ve got to say I love the vocals. I went on to listen to their debut album and even the though there is an obvious differences between the two (Beier had some voice on him and Rene may not be as aggressive) but he’s certainly not a bad change! I say embrace the change and don’t let it put you off giving this album a play, and then play it again! It’s a 9/10 from me!

‘Theatre Of The Mind’ is released on Friday (26 April). You can get your copy HERE.

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