Divide Conquer

With their second album, all that divides, Black Peaks have united an army of fans from prog, metal and alt-rock alike and asserted their status as future festival headliners. guitarist Joe Gosney discusses his unconventional six-string journey so far

- Michael Astley-Brown

There are few UK bands more hyped than alt-progmetallers Black Peaks, but in this instance, the fervour surrounding the Brighton four-piece is very much deserved. Second album, All That Divides, solidifies the Mastodon-meetsMars Volta ideals of its predecessor and channels it into nine tracks of meticulously crafted heaviness, which provides an arresting showcase for guitarist Joe Gosney’s mercurial playing approach, which spans everything from punishing detuned riffage to ethereal extended chords.

Black Peaks first rose to prominence with the release of 2016’s Statues, a debut that came fully formed with the kind of sinuous song structures that can only come from an unadulterated dedication to the craft. The band’s audiences and idols quickly took note, with a series of UK and European tours, a headline position at this year’s 2000 Trees festival and support slots with Architects, System Of A Down and Prophets Of Rage.

Yet none of this phases Joe, who points out that what seems like a meteoric rise has been the culmination of years of collaboration and hard graft.

“It’s always funny when people say it seems like it’s been a rapid ascent,” he muses, “because for us, we’re so involved with it, and on a day-to-day basis, on every decision that’s being made, whether that’s a poster for a gig, or the routing of the tour… Every little thing we’re thinking about and talking about.”

Like the band’s music, Joe’s journey to the guitar took the road less travelled. He may be the man pulling the strings now, but it was his background as a drummer that lent Black Peaks their idiosyncratic riff clock. It played a big part in shaping his approach to playing then, and continues to fuel the creative process today.