Black Magic; All Mysteries Revealed

Personnel: Daniel Davies (vocals, guitar); Brad Hargreaves (drums).Audio Mixer: Nick Raskulinecz.Recording information: Sound City Studio, Van Nuys, CA.With a sound that's darker and heavier than their self-titled debut, Year Long Disaster have not only avoided the sophomore slump, but actually improved with their second album, Black Magic; All Mysteries Revealed. The sound is still primarily blues-influenced hard rock, but this go around, the atmosphere feels different; less Led Zeppelin and more Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Black Sabbath. The songs here feel less rushed, giving them the relaxed and confident demeanor of a band that's starting to come into their own as songwriters. Rather than forcing the issues, songs like "Major Arcana" and "Show Me Your Teeth" are content to sit back in the groove and coolly let the rock happen, drawing the listener with the allure of a solid riff instead of beating them over the head with it. And while the riffs on Black Magic might not be part