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The Black Maria - A Shared History of Tragedy (Cover Artwork)

The Black Maria

A Shared History of Tragedy (2006)
Victory Records

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Contributed by: crazytoledo
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 19th 2006

The Black Maria formed in 2002 and were signed to Victory Records in 2004, with former Grade guitarist, Kyle Bishop, being used as the main pushing point for their debut, Lead Us to Reason. The album quickly came and went in 2005, with only a brief cameo from Keith Buckley keeping it from being one of the year's most disappointing release. The biggest change coming into A Shared History of Tragedy is the depature of guitarist Kyle Bishop. However, even with two new members, the sound is still fairly similar to their previous release.

The album opener "The Perilous Curse" literally uses the exact singing pattern from "Memento," their previous album's opening track. The song even features the same pointless screaming towards the end of the song that "Memento" featured. "Waking with the Wolves," the album's first single, follows with a chorus that brings back memories of older Finger Eleven. After the first two songs, it's extremely noticeable that the only major change here is that the keys play a bigger role in the songs.

However, this doesn't help the Black Maria overcome the same problems that their earlier work had. Musically, these songs are rather cookie-cutter rock songs that don't go all out and don't even come close to being creative or original. Mix that with a rather generic vocalist and extremely structured song formats, and you have an album that is near impossible to get completely through.

Thanks to its spectacular cover art and terrible music contained within, A Shared History of Tragedy is pure fool's gold; it's simply best if you stay far, far away.

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Eyeslikebombs (December 24, 2006)

This album art is beautiful.

I'd kind of like to see what the inside looks like, but I'm afraid that I am not a homosexual, and thusly will not purchase this album.

inagreendase (December 21, 2006)

Indifferent tastes on music?

Freudian slip?

crazytoledo (December 20, 2006)

I'm not really a douche bag, we probably just have indifferent tastes on music, but whatever.

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

for once I agree with crazytoledo. This douchebag makes me sad to admit I live close to Toledo.

punkinohio (December 19, 2006)

its better than you give them credit for.

Holy_Balls (December 19, 2006)

I just found some neat pants in my brothers closet. I know this has nothing to do with the band, but that sentence/story is more interesting than this band. SCORE IS FOR NEW PANTS!

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

clownwithstress
trashtalkers should die the most horriific death imaginable//fuck you all and i hope you all commit suicide or suffocate...something fun like that bye losers!!

and will you be slitting your wrists or shooting yourself in the face you fucking hypocrite!

Kisses! The Aesthetic

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

I was under the impression that if Crazytoledo likes it, then you also know it sucks.
-feeeding5000

clownwithstress (December 19, 2006)

trashtalkers should die the most horriific death imaginable//fuck you all and i hope you all commit suicide or suffocate...something fun like that bye losers!!!!!!

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

these guys are assholes. long live grade!

Anonymous (December 19, 2006)

Not only does the band suck... but they're total douchebags. If you're ever in London, Ontario head to the Salt Lounge. No doubt, one of these tools will be there, talking REALLY loud about what band they're in. I could see having an ego if your band was good... but these dudes are awful.

Fuck these guys.

crazytoledo (December 19, 2006)

and i think crazytoledo ought to be banned from any victory releases. he offers nothing but bias. this isn't a good review.

Well considering I like Victory Records...

stricken (December 19, 2006)

i honestly thought... and had hoped to god that this band broke up.

pure bandwagon bullshit.

russe11 (December 19, 2006)

agree*

russe11 (December 19, 2006)

Well, crazytoledo said one of his goals was to try and review all the Victory releases. Honestly, whose review of a Victory released album WOULDN'T be biased? Plus, you can always adhere to the "if crazytoledo thinks it sucks, you KNOW it sucks!" philosophy (not that I aggree with that, just saying).

GlassPipeMurder (December 19, 2006)

and i think crazytoledo ought to be banned from any victory releases. he offers nothing but bias. this isn't a good review.

GlassPipeMurder (December 19, 2006)

i have this. but i've never listened. i wonder if i ever will.

Dante3000 (December 19, 2006)

Racists bastards.
-Dante

Godfather (December 19, 2006)

i bet tony victory loves this band! score is for him!

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