Black Sites released their new full-length album »For Eternity«; available now on CD and all major streaming platforms!

Chicago, Illinois based heavy metallers Black Sites have just released their fifth full-length album »For Eternity« independently on July 17th, 2026.

Listen to »For Eternity« on Spotify and all major streaming platforms!

Tracklist:
01. When It Calls
02. Aquarius Betrayed
03. Above Soil, Beneath Sky
04. Giving Up The Ghost
05. Blades (For The Chosen Ones)
06. Silent Wars
07. When Prophecy Fails
08. Unanswered For Eternity

Courtesy of C Squared Music:

Heavy quartet Black Sites are preparing to step into their next chapter with the forthcoming full length, »For Eternity«. Due to be released independently on July 17, 2026, Black Sites founder Mark Sugar is now joined by an updated line-up. »For Eternity« showcases a development in the band’s sound and sees the new members’ contributions enhance the music’s sonic quality.

Inspired by traditional metal, the album begins with a deviation into the shadows with gothic rock influences taking center stage in »When It Calls«. Tension builds steadily throughout the instrumental layers as the track progresses further into heavier, distorted realms. Sugar reveals the meaning behind the lyrics, “it’s a highly dramatized interpretation of taking out the trash, loading the dishwasher, whatever, and then writing songs while everyone else is asleep. Making music is something I am compelled to do, and it felt important to make that point at the very start of this record.”

The thunderous rhythms of »Aquarius Betrayed« reflect the frustration at the contradiction towards previous generations who “reaped the benefits of the most socially liberated and progressive era in history, and then quickly turned their back on those values when they became inconvenient.” While, »Above Soil, Beneath Sky« unleashes a fury of distortion, dissonance and powerful percussion.

Inspired by the likes of Tony Iommi and Jimmy Page, »Giving Up The Ghost« is about the faltering of one’s belief. This guitar driven track is emotive and dynamic in its instrumental arrangement, with a catchy chorus hook. »Blades (For The Chosen Ones)« draws stylistically from albums such as »Ozzmosis« (Ozzy Osbourne), »Youthanasia« (Megadeth) and »The Art Of Rebellion« (Suicidal Tendencies) in their shrouded, haunting quality.

The concept of »Silent Wars« derives from the Robin Williams quote: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Musically, the track plays homage to Jake E. Lee while also incorporating the likes of Americana artist Jason Isbell. High-octane with drama and intensity, »When Prophecy Fails« takes from “a book of the same name, which describes a UFO cult that existed in Chicago in the 1950s. The book is a scientific study of these people, and what happened when their leader’s predictions did not come true (spoiler alert: it was bad).”

»Unanswered For Eternity« concludes the album with a grand offering. It’s a celebration of multiple bands and artists that spark creativity for Black Sites, while being situated firmly in Black Sites’ own characteristic sound.

»For Eternity« was produced by Mark Sugar & Chris Black, recorded at I Can’t Believe It’s Not Mace Street Studios, with mixing and mastering by Dan Swano. Drums on »For Eternity« were recorded by Vladimir Ružičić at Kebac Recording Studio.

About Black Sites:
Based out of Chicago, IL, USA, Black Sites was founded in 2016, initially as a studio project, by vocalist and guitarist Mark Sugar. Sugar was later joined by members John Picillo (bass), Ryan Bruchert (guitar) and Chris Avgerin (drums). Black Sites combines old school metal with guitar harmonies, melodic/clean vocals and progressive elements, primarily drawing inspiration from the likes of Voivod, Black Sabbath, and King’s X.

Black Sites released their debut In Monochrome in 2017 (Mascot/Provogue Records), followed by Exile in 2019. 2021 saw the release of Untrue that was produced by Sanford Parker and awarded Record Of the Year by Dr. A.N. Grier at AngryMetalGuy.com. Black Sites ventured to »The Promised Land?« with their 2024 full-length that featured Tom Draper (ex-Carcass/Spirit Adrift) on the track »Chasing Eternity«.

Now, in 2026, Mark Sugar is joined by new members Jose Salazar (bass), Lee Smith (guitar) and Chris Black (drums). The forthcoming album »For Eternity« is set to release independently on July 17, 2026.

Order »For Eternity« here: blacksites.bandcamp.com

Black Sites is:
Mark Sugar – Vocals, Guitar
Jose Salazar – Bass
Lee Smith – Guitar
Chris Black – Drums

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well