Review / 200 Words Or Less
Just Went Black
Embracing Emptiness

Assault (2007) Michael

Just Went Black – Embracing Emptiness cover artwork
Just Went Black – Embracing Emptiness — Assault, 2007

Hamburg, Germany is a city that is known more for its architecture than it is for its musical output. In fact, if you were to ask anyone about the music of Hamburg, they'd probably start talking about some classical composer from the 1800's and not a hardcore band of today. And while I'm sure they are popular in their native country, it's my guess that Just Went Black is known more in the U.S. than they are in Germany thanks to their previous full-length release on New Age Records.

Embracing Emptiness is a six-song 10" from the five-piece group. The album is primarily 90's metallic hardcore with a smattering of progressive-hardcore and various melodious nuances. Cuts like "Withered (A Goodbye)" and "Losing Heart" show similarities to the work of Shai Hulud in style. But the highlight of the EP is "Twice as Sure" with its epic-esque Modern Life is War buildups and the inclusion of an acoustic guitar to wrap things up.

If you've missed out on Just Went Black up to this point, I suggest starting with this, their latest release and working your way backwards. You'll thank me later.

8.0 / 10Michael • March 3, 2008

Just Went Black – Embracing Emptiness cover artwork
Just Went Black – Embracing Emptiness — Assault, 2007

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Celebration Summer

A Little Less Numb
Den of Wax (2024)

I get a lot of music here at SPB and, unfortunately, my memory isn’t perfect. But I consider it a good sign when my first thought on hearing a new release is that, “Hey, I need to go back and relisten to the last one again.” It’s not a slight about the old stuff at all, but it means they’ve … Read more

Gus Baldwin & The Sketch

The Sketch
Permanent Teeth (2025)

When The Sketch opens, I find myself quickly thinking of “Got The Time” by Joe Jackson. For the most part, that comparison fades by the time the power chords kick in at 10 seconds, but I also bring it up because (at least in my mind) that’s a classic track that doesn’t get enough fanfare. No artist wants constant “sounds … Read more

Chat Pile

Cool World
Flenser (2024)

The great American experiment has a wide range of experiences, but it tends to focus on the coasts. There are countless dystopian pieces of art, often culling from a Warriors-esque concept of urban grit. Chat Pile play dystopian, brutal noise-punk, but from a distinctly middle American point of view where instead of civilians shadowed under dense skylines, their anonymity instead … Read more