Blackout is the fourth studio album by American rock band From Ashes to New. It was released on July 28, 2023, through Better Noise Music. The deluxe edition was released on June 7, 2024. The album reached number one on multiple charts around the world, including in Japan, the UK, Australia, and Germany.
Background and release On June 17, 2022, the first single, titled "Heartache", was released. The band released the next single, "Until We Break", featuring Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire, on October 7.
On February 3, 2023, the third single, "Nightmare", was released. On March 17, alongside the release of the fourth single, "Hate Me Too", the band announced the title of their fourth studio album, Blackout, and its release date of July 28. The fifth single, "Armageddon", was released on May 19.
On February 2, 2024, the band released a re-recording of the track "Barely Breathing", with guest vocals from Chrissy Costanza of Against the Current. On April 19, the band released the single "One Foot in the Grave", featuring Aaron Pauley of Of Mice & Men, and announced that the album's deluxe edition would release June 7, including collaborations with Yelawolf and Sullivan King.
Composition Blackout has been described as rap metal, hard rock, rap rock, and nu metal.
Critical reception
My Global Mind stated that "From the moment the spitfire lyrics in "Heartache" open, to the closer "Broken by Design", the album steamrolls with a ferocious groove" and "The dual vocals of Danny Case and Matt Brandyberry (rap vocals) do complement the band's sound quite well".
Heavy Magazine called the work "A prequel of sorts to their 2016 debut Day One, Blackout mirrors the frame of mind experienced during its writing stage, harnessing feelings and emotions that encapsulate the distress of a pre-apocalyptic world referenced heavily on that debut album but with the benefit of years of touring and recording under their belts".
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from Tidal.
From Ashes to New Danny Case – lead vocals Matt Brandyberry – rap vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar, bass Lance Dowdle – lead guitar, bass Mat Madiro – drums
Additional musicians Matty Mullins (Memphis May Fire) – guest vocals (11) Chrissy Costanza (Against the Current) – guest vocals (13) Aaron Pauley (Of Mice & Men) – guest vocals (14) Yelawolf – guest rap vocals (16) Sullivan King – remixer (17)
Additional personnel Carson Slovak – production, engineering Grant McFarland – production, programming, engineering Josh Gilbert – production (1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 13) Ted Jensen – mastering (all except 16 & 18) Joseph McQueen – mixing (all), mastering (16 & 18) Nick Squillante – mastering (3, 5, 7, 9, 14, 15) Jonathan Gering – production (15)
Charts + Chart performance for Blackout Chart (2023) Peakposition UK Independent Album Breakers (Official Charts) 18
References