Black Metal 2 is an album by Dean Blunt, released on Rough Trade Records on 11 June 2021.[1] The album was only formally announced on 8 June 2021, following pictures being posted to the social media accounts of collaborators Vegyn and James Massiah depicting a billboard with the album cover;[2] however, references had been made to it by Blunt prior to this, as far back as 2016, including in the description of various releases on SoundCloud. It serves as a sequel to his 2014 album Black Metal and features an edited version of that cover as its album cover. The album features additional vocals from Joanne Robertson on six songs.

Black Metal 2
Studio album by
Released11 June 2021 (2021-06-11)
Length23:26
LabelRough Trade
Producer
  • Dean Blunt
  • Giles Kwakeulati King-Ashong
Dean Blunt chronology
Black Metal
(2014)
Black Metal 2
(2021)

The album was produced by Blunt and Giles Kwakeulati King-Ashong, also known as Kwake Bass.[3][4] The album also features instrumental performances by Mica Levi.

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.9/10
Metacritic85/100[5]
Review scores
SourceRating
Beats Per Minute79%[6]
Exclaim!8/10[7]
The Guardian     [8]
Pitchfork8.1/10[9]
PopMatters8/10[10]

Black Metal 2 was met with very positive reviews; on review aggregator Metacritic it has a score of 85/100, indicating "universal acclaim", and according to the same site is Blunt's best-received album.

Accolades

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Black Metal 2 on year-end lists
Publication List Rank Ref.
Clash Clash Albums of the Year 2021
22
Crack Magazine The Top 50 Albums of the Year
42
Dazed The Best Albums of 2021
20
Dummy Magazine The 25 Best Albums of 2021
16
Gorilla Vs. Bear Gorilla Vs. Bear’s Albums of 2021
6
Les Inrockuptibles Notre top 50 albums 2021
4
Loud and Quiet Loud And Quiet Albums of the Year 2021
15
Mojo The 75 Best Albums of 2021
51
Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2021
19
The Quietus Quietus Albums Of The Year 2021
3
Resident Advisor The Best Albums of 2021
-
Vinyl Me, Please The Best Albums of 2021
-

Track listing

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All tracks written by Dean Blunt, except where noted. All tracks produced by Blunt and Giles Kwakeulati King-Ashong.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Vigil"
  • Dean Blunt
  • Joanne Robertson
2:30
2."Mugu" 1:39
3."Dash Snow"
  • Blunt
  • Robertson
2:00
4."Sketamine"
  • Blunt
  • Robertson
2:32
5."Semtex" 1:27
6."La Raza" 1:44
7."Nil by Mouth"
  • Blunt
  • Robertson
2:40
8."ZaZa" 2:06
9."Woosah" 3:02
10."The Rot"
  • Blunt
  • Robertson
3:43

Charts

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Chart performance for Black Metal 2
Chart (2021) Peak
position
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[23] 39
UK Independent Albums Breakers Chart (OCC)[24] 10
UK Official Record Store Chart (OCC)[25] 28

References

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  1. ^ "Dean Blunt Releasing New Album BLACK METAL 2 This Week". Pitchfork. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  2. ^ "V E G Y N 🎶 on Twitter "https _t.co_fxWNWsCTZF" _ Twitter.htmlauthor=Vegyn". Twitter. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  3. ^ Middleton, Ryan. "Album Review Dean Blunt - BLACK METAL 2 - Magnetic Magazine". Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  4. ^ Joshi, Tara. "Cover Story Tirzah in Suburbia". The FADER. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Black Metal 2 by Dean Blunt". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  6. ^ Amen, John (16 June 2021). "Album Review: Dean Blunt – Black Metal 2 | Beats Per Minute". Beatsperminute.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Dean Blunt Returns to Avant-Pop Directness on 'BLACK METAL 2' | Exclaim!". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Dean Blunt: Black Metal 2 review – instantly familiar yet utterly unknowable". The Guardian. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Dean Blunt: Black Metal 2". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  10. ^ Morgan, Tom (11 June 2021). "Dean Blunt: Black Metal 2 (Album Review)". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Clash Albums of the Year 2021". Clash.
  12. ^ "The Top 50 Albums of the Year". Crackmagazine.net.
  13. ^ "The best albums of 2021". Dazeddigital.com. 17 December 2021.
  14. ^ "The 25 Best Albums of 2021". Dummymag.com.
  15. ^ "Gorilla vs. Bear's albums of 2021". Gorillavsbear.net.
  16. ^ "Notre top 50 albums 2021 : Première partie de 50 à 26". Lesinrocks.com.
  17. ^ "Loud and Quiet Albums of the Year 2021". Loudandquiet.com.
  18. ^ "MOJO 338 – January 2022: The Rolling Stones / The Best of 2021". Mojo4music.com.
  19. ^ Callender, Brandon (7 December 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  20. ^ "The Quietus | Features | Quietus Charts | Quietus Albums of the Year 2021 (In Association with Norman Records)". Thequietus.com.
  21. ^ "The Best Albums of 2021 · Feature ⟋ RA". Ra.com.
  22. ^ "The Best Albums of 2021". Vinylmeplease.com.
  23. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  24. ^ "Official Independent Album Breakers Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  25. ^ "Official Record Store Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. 08-14 October 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.