BLACK SITES - For Eternity (Review)

Written by: Blackie Skulless

Since their 2019 album entitled Exile, the Chicago based heavy metal outfit known as Black Sites has been on my radar under close watch. They’ve followed heavily in their prog-adjacent steps ever since, curating two records in a similar vein, and while that held up nicely for a bit, I did find it to run slightly stale by the previous outing. This year, they’ve brought For Eternity, one I was unsure about what to expect. I’m happy to report that they’ve since tweaked the formula a bit, and for the better.

Rather than focusing on more intricate rhythms in a Queensryche-meets-Iced Earth type blend, Black Sites has done something that I’ve been implementing in my own life to feel more peace as of late; slowing down. I mean this in a literal and figurative sense, as this record very clearly nods towards more doom metal ingredients than they’ve ever showcased before, in pace and general vibe. However, the noticeable stripping back of progressive elements, while not being completely void of them, shows them clearly no longer taking the focus. This allows for a more cohesive whole, likely being the most focused record since Exile.

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If those comparisons aren’t enough, I would say that For Eternity also works in the catchiest and most memorable writing since the record that took me by storm. Mark Sugar’s recognizable vocals rake in loads of emotion, shifting it wonderfully to fit the smooth transitions in tone. From time to time, he even lets on a meaner sounding gruffness, not going over the top and still fitting well right next to softer or acoustic passages. Hell, even the bass pops through quite nicely, working steadily beside the still technically-laced drum kicks to assist in these immaculate leads.

​The end result is an album that’s basically perfect, and I can’t find a single song I would change. Despite only eight of them adding up to roughly forty-five minutes, none feel overblown or excessive. In fact, one of the longest ones “Giving Up The Ghost” somehow manages to hold some catchy vibes, likely because of the bouncy basslines and baritone vocal attack. However, the magic there lies in the likes of “Silent Wars,” nailing that sensation with a more straightforward heavy metal drive and almost uplifting riff and bass passages. “When Prophecy Fails” does this with likely the most intense fervor on the disc, while “Above Soil, Beneath Sky” works that balance of kicking up the intensity while sunk under doomy flavors. These tones translate well into the slower numbers, as “Aquarius Betrayed” works acoustic passages beautifully inside of an otherwise meaner shell. Reality and existentialism go back and forth in unison in such a poetically masterful way, and I love every minute of it.

But really, you could pick anything on this record and it will scratch the same itch. The changes in the formula are just subtle enough to not jump the shark but noticeable enough to feel like a unique shift. The varying ingredients stick well together, and to top it all off, every musicians’ performances are spot on. If you’ve never listened to Black Sites before, I suggest starting either with For Eternity or Exile.

Black Sites - For Eternity was released July 17th, 2026. Find it here!

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Black Sites can be found at Bandcamp and Facebook
Cover photography by Marsell Gorska Gautier