BLACK SONIC hail from the small European principality of Liechtenstein, nestled in the Alps between Switzerland and Austria. Their unique sound is similarly wedged somewhere between the rocky peaks and gorges of Guns ‘N’ Roses, Nickelback and Metallica, and under their previous name of Black Sonic Prophets, they’ve already generated international attention with their EPs and 2006 debut album, “Out Of The Light - Into The Night”, along with sweat-drenched live shows that have consistently left audiences in Western and Northern Europe gasping for breath and screaming for more.
But first things first: Shortly after their formation in 2004, the quartet became involved with American producer Jeff Collier (Apocalyptica, Kreator, Exilia…), who then produced and supervised the sessions for their 2005 release, “The Broken EP”. Their unceasing live activities in neighboring Germany, Austria, Switzerland and in Scandinavia focused more international attention on the band, giving them a platform to appear before larger audiences at renowned European festivals and as Special Guests on European tours with rising Finnish stars Negative, Italian nu-metallers Exilia and American superstars Stone Sour. Ace Flying-V pilot Marco (lead guit.), towering mountain-man Ray (bass) and human jackhammer Roli (drums) provide the rock-solid foundation for this searing sound, uniting the best of Alternative-Rock and Heavy Metal with their own signature touch.
And then there’s that voice…Front-man and rhythm guitarist Mäthi, a dead-ringer for Matthew McConaughey’s younger, long-lost European brother, brings the charisma and attitude to the picture that provides the focal point for the live shows. But it is his voice, equal parts sandpaper growl and melted chocolate throatiness, that propels the BLACK SONIC sound firmly into the Hard Rock Champion’s League. Producer Jeff Collier: “I’ve worked with lots of well-known singers over the years, but I’ve never, ever worked with a better rock singer than Mäthi. There’s an earthy authenticity in his voice that’s absolutely genuine and utterly world-class. His recent live appearance with Apocalyptica is just one more confirmation of this”.
2008 has seen the band’s hard work rewarded with the highly coveted “Austrian Newcomer Award”, their song “The Game” was picked as one of the Top 20 numbers for Switzerland’s participation in the 2008 European Football Championship, U.S. band forum website “garageband.com” celebrated the band’s new song “Alone” with a 5-out-of-5 rating and an unprecedented string of awards including the No. 15 spot out of over 9,500 songs in their Hard Rock “All-Time Best Production” category, and Mäthi was personally selected by Finnish metal gods Apocalyptica to sing their hit “I Don’t Care” at Germany’s prestigious Area 4 Festival before a crowd of thousands.
The 2006 release of their debut LP “Out Of The Light - Into The Night” garnered the band rave reviews from the international rock press for killers like “Shut Down The Lights”, “Wonderland” and the Scandinavian hit single “Leave Me Alone”. Now, after streamlining their name down to BLACK SONIC, they are returning to the studio with producer Jeff Collier to record material for their next album, which promises to be both heavier and hookier. The first results, “Alone” and “The Game”, can be heard on the band’s website and myspace page, and are a clear indication of great things to come from the next album. These sessions will continue through the winter of 2008/2009, with release of the album targeted for late Spring 2009. Afterwards, expect to see BLACK SONIC live throughout Europe and beyond…
BLACK SONIC are at the forefront of the resurgent European hard rock scene and are keenly positioned to take a leading role in its continued rise. If dynamite truly comes in small packages, then BLACK SONIC from tiny Liechtenstein are the explosive proof that supremacy in today’s Hard Rock world is not about where you’re from…it’s about WHERE YOU’RE AT!!
