Diamond Black - Ones to watch in 2018

April 13th 2018

Internet (Online)

Introducing Diamond Black

Intense, sensual and arcane, Diamond Black are a dark Rock quartet based in London. Founded by Ben Christo (Guitarist in The Sisters of Mercy), the band deliver crushing riffs and mesmerising Electronica with cinematic choruses: a dark fusion of irreverence, intrigue and isolation. Hard Rock with melody, meaning and mystique, their music is powerful and muscular but can also be fragile and haunting, with lyrics and themes that are often nuanced and introspective and an emotive vocal that ranges from a brooding whisper to a venomous scream.

There are 80’s Rock and Electro vibes and 90’s Industrial and Metal flavours, but there is a contemporary darkness too - all tied together with a cohesive melancholy.Inspired by the heaviness of Katatonia, the passion of Depeche Mode, the haunting soundscapes of Type O Negative and the anthemic melody of The Cult, Diamond Black weave tangled tales of desire,decadence and devotion.

The band’s debut single ‘Sorrow’ was released in October 2017 to much acclaim. Premiered via Metal Talk, its distinctive promo video received rotation on Scuzz TV, while the song was hailed and shared by peers such as Rob Zombie’s band, Therapy? and The Mission.

Diamond Black are: (L-R) Ben Christo - Guitar / Jan-Vincent Velazco - Drums / Adam Lightspeed - Bass / J.I.Turunen - Vocals

Arriving hot on the heels of a well received run of UK dates (their first ever live shows) with Swiss Alternative Goth / Folk / Prog Rock pioneers Cellar Darling, ’Ghost in the Glass’ is the pounding, soaring follow up to ‘Sorrow’, maintaining the haunting heaviness of its predecessor while showcasing another shade of Diamond Black. In the band’s words, the song is “equal parts ferocity and fragility, a tale of sin and solitude, crafted to lure you into the depths of the Diamond Black…”.

Finnish singer J.I. Turunen’s powerful vocals are delivered with a distinctly Scandinavian melancholy, while Christo’s unforgiving riffs and emotive lead-lines provide a dramatic backdrop. Add a thunderous, dynamic rhythm section, courtesy of drummer Jan-Vincent Velazco and bassist Adam Lightspeed (Starscream) and encase it all in the cutting edge Darkwave / Electro Rock production of Finnish visionary Jaani Peuhu and the result is the explosive and evocative sound of Diamond Black.