Black Map Bring Urgency & Emotion on Hex – Featuring Members of Dredg & Far

Black Map and their new album Hex which is out 5/9 on Spinefarm.

Black Map harnesses pure kinetic force—an emotional and electrified collision of post-hardcore, alt-rock, and hard rock driven by the undeniable chemistry between Ben Flanagan (vocals/bass), Mark Engles (guitar), and Chris Robyn (drums). Their new album Hex (via Spinefarm Records) distills this synergy into their most urgent, immediate, and hook-laden work yet. Produced by Beau Burchell of Saosin, Hex channels personal loss, catharsis, and raw energy into soaring choruses, gut-punch riffs, and tracks that pulse with meaning—whether through the vulnerable weight of “Tethered,” the defiant charge of “Fake Your Own Life,” or the anthemic title track.

With roots in cult-favorite acts like Dredg, Far, and The Trophy Fire, Black Map have spent the last decade building a dedicated following, praised by PROG and Westworld and streamed millions of times. Now, with Hex, they’re opening a bold new chapter.

Acclaimed Bay Area Rockers BLACK MAP Share New Single 'Badlands' + Video

Today, multi-genre rockers BLACK MAP share a new single, "Badlands," from their forthcoming album 'Hex,' out May 9th. The album marks their debut for Spinefarm. "Badlands" is accompanied by a new visualizer.

About the single, Ben Flanagan (vocals/bass) comments:

"'Badlands' is a song about ultimately exploring new heights. Moving forward and up. It’s immediate and direct. The spirit of the song reminds me of the music I was listening to when I first picked up a guitar. For me, there is something super cathartic about playing it."

Watch the Video for "Badlands" Below:

At the start of 2024, BLACK MAP retreated to Southern California to record 'Hex' with Saosinguitarist Beau Burchell behind the board as producer. The band embraced a clear, collective vision, shifting from the expansive, ethereal nature of 'Melodoria' to a more urgent and immediate sound.

Vocalist/Bassist Ben Flanagan describes 'Hex' as a body of work with a strong “let’s f*cking go” spirit, while guitarist Mark Engles emphasizes its balance between atmospheric elements and a driving intensity. The album captures the band’s signature style, with Mark’s distinct guitar work ever-present and a renewed focus on immediacy and raw energy.

For Ben, 'Hex' represents the profound impact of music, offering solace and connection. Drummer Chris Robyn adds that the album carries an unstoppable momentum, charging forward with force and intention. Rooted in themes of personal struggle, authenticity, and resilience, 'Hex' stands as BLACK MAP’s most powerful and urgent release yet.

Pre-Order 'Hex' HERE

Having formed in 2014 from the bands Dredg, Far, and The Trophy Fire, BLACK MAP has generated critical acclaim from the press as well as their musician peers.

Pivoting around a nimble balance of post-hardcore, alternative, and hard rock, the trio of vocalist and bassist Ben Flanagan, guitarist Mark Engles, and drummer Chris Robyn convene, congregate, and commune to power up BLACK MAP. Their union teems with emotion and electricity—which the musicians harness to craft immediate and raucous anthems underscored by unpredictable musicality and undeniable hooks.

BLACK MAP are: 

Ben Flanagan - vocals, bass

Mark Engles - guitar

Chris Robyn - drums

DANCE WITH THE DEAD Release Music Video for "Hex"

DANCE WITH THE DEAD Release Music Video for "Hex"

North American Co-Headline Tour Starts This Month

New LP 'Driven To Madness' is Out Now

Electronic music duo DANCE WITH THE DEAD has released a new music video for their song "Hex". The track is from the California outfit's new studio album 'Driven To Madness', which was released earlier this year. Speaking about the music video for the track, Tony Kim (guitar) comments, “This video is full of adrenaline, and tells a story through striking visuals and animation. Thanks to Crystal Spotlight for bringing our vision to life.”

In addition to the new music video, Dance With The Dead will kick off their 2022 co-headlining run with Magic Sword this month! The 39-date North American trek kicks off March 23 in Denver, CO, and concludes in Seattle, WA on May 15th. A complete list of dates can be found below.

The new album from Dance With The Dead, 'Driven To Madness', was released on January 7th, 2022. Fans can stream/buy the record via the link found here.

DANCE WITH THE DEAD

North American 2022 Tour w/ MAGIC SWORD

March 23 - Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater

March 24 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

March 25 - Boise, ID @ The Knitting Factory (Treefort Festival)

March 27 - Missoula, MT @ The Show Room at the ZACC

March 29 - Calgary, AB @ Dickens

March 30 - Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room

April 2 - Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre

April 4 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club

April 5 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon

April 6 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

April 7 - St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag

April 8 - Columbus, OH @ Skully's

April 9 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Music Hall

April 10 - Cleveland, OH @ Mahall's

April 12 - Detroit, MI @ The Loving Touch

April 13 - Toronto, ON @ The Axis Club

April 14 - Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey

April 15 - Montreal. QC @ Les Foufounes Electrique

April 16 - Quebec City, QC @ Imperial Bell

April 18 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair

April 19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts

April 20 - New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge

April 22 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar

April 23 - Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall

April 24 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

April 26 - Orlando, FL @ The Abbey

April 27 - Tampa. FL @ Crowbar

April 29 - Houston, TX @ The Secret Group

April 30 - Austin, TX @ Empire Garage

May 1 - Dallas, TX @ Amplified Live

May 4 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge

May 5 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex

May 6 - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

May 7 - Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone

May 8 - Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post

May 11 - Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre

May 13 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

May 14 - Spokane, WA @ Lucky You Lounge

May 15 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

STREAM/BUY 'Driven To Madness' HERE

About DANCE WITH THE DEAD

DANCE WITH THE DEAD is an electronic-based music duo by Justin Pointer and Tony Kim. Inspired by retrospective movies and music from the ’60s, ’70s, and '80s, their sound reflects heavily on analog synthesizer sounds and early heavy metal guitars. They released their debut record “Out of Body” on October 31st, 2013 to great reviews in the synth, metal, and EDM communities alike. As of late 2019, the duo has toured alongside acts such as Devin Townsend, Avatar, and Dragonforce as well as headlined shows in the USA, Canada, France, Belgium, Germany, Iceland, Russia, Belarus, Riga, Talin, Scotland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Ukraine. DANCE WITH THE DEAD’s sixth full-length album, 'Driven to Madness', will see a January 10th, 2022 release, and features a special guest appearance from John Carpenter and his son Cody Carpenter.

DANCE WITH THE DEAD Online:

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