Rating:
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 01/25/2005

Boasting one-time Grade frontman Kyle Bishop, the Black Maria achieves a comfortable balance of alluring hooks and sonic chaos on its impressive entry, Lead Us to Reason. Airwave-ripe screamo is in abundance here, as evidenced by the accessible roar of "Betrayal" and the aggressive opener "The Memento." If the latter's bleak lyrical tone ("I have this overwhelming urge/To suck in one good breath and scream/There is no love left inside of me") permeates the album, the dark albeit big rock roar of tunes like "Organs" and "Ash" are a perfect match. By lending pop subtleties to metallic punk, the Black Maria has proved its motives come closer to crafting a top-notch disc than reaching for the brass-ring peers like My Chemical Romance and the Used have already snagged. Financial rewards may be imminent, but they are also well warranted.

~John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide

Be the first to review this product!

Matt Mahurin - Artwork
Matt Mahurin - Cover Art
Rob Sanzo - Assistant Engineer
Rob Sanzo - Assistant
Kyle Bishop - Guitar
Kyle Bishop - Vocals
Kyle Bishop - Art Direction
Kyle Bishop - Layout Design
Kyle Bishop - Group Member
Tom Baker - Mastering
Jason Link - Layout Design
Chris Stringer - Mastering
Chris Stringer - Assistant Engineer
Chris Stringer - Assistant
Chris Allen - A&R
The Black Maria - Main Performer
Chris Allen - Management
Mike Green - Producer
Mike Green - Engineer
Mike Green - Mixing
Keith Buckley - Vocals

Under the Radar
    Grade / CD / 1999
Designs for Automotion
    Snapcase / CD / 2000
Page Avenue
    Story of the Year / CD / 2003
They're Only Chasing Safety
    Underoath / CD / 2004
Soundtrack to a Headrush
    Emanuel / CD / 2005
Faktion
    Faktion / CD / 2006

Release Date: 01/25/2005
Genre: rock