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| Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
This past Sunday saw the return of one of my favorite rock trios, Black Map — the band made up of Mark Engles (guitar), Chris Robyn (drums), and Ben Flanagan (vocals/bass guitar) — as they returned to Bottom of the Hill for an album release party for Hex, their fourth studio album due out on May 9th. Sure, it doesn’t hurt that they’re homegrown here in the Bay Area — nor does it hurt that Bottom of the Hill is central to their legacy in so many ways. The venue's hosted Black Map at least four times, and countless more for each of the members’ prior bands: Dredg, A Trophy Fire, and Far. We’ve had a long drought of new Black Map music and opportunities to see them live (locally), so hopefully, this was just the first of a few more Bay Area shows this year.
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| Mark Engles & Chris 'beast-mode' Robyn of Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The matinee show, kicking off at 4 p.m., offered a rare weekend treat for fans to catch Black Map in action. Opening acts Rotterdam and State Line Empire set the stage on fire, each delivering performances that had the crowd entranced. Rotterdam’s blend of what I’d liken to sludge-prog metal (although they describe themselves as 'Alt Doom') perfectly suited the intimate setting of Bottom of the Hill, while State Line Empire’s infectious rhythms kept the energy soaring — especially with their Star Wars “May the Fourth” shirts and Judas Priest-infused metal sound.
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| Mark Engles & Ben Flanagan of Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
After igniting Sacramento the night before, Black Map descended upon the Bay Area with a blast of electrifying energy. It had been an interminable five years since their last San Francisco show in 2018, and the anticipation was palpable as fans eagerly awaited their triumphant return — myself included!
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| Chris Robyn & Ben Flanagan of Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
When Black Map finally took the stage around 6:10 p.m., they launched into the haunting chords of “Disintegrate,” the third single teaser from Hex, and it was instantly clear they hadn't lost an ounce of their raw intensity. Mark Engles shredded his guitar with ferocious precision — to the point where his blood coated the fretboard — despite wearing a rubber surgical glove to protect his battle-worn hand. His guitar wizardry, a cornerstone of Black Map's sound, unleashed a torrent of scorching riffs that mesmerized the crowd.
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| A bloodied Mark Engles of Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Ben Flanagan's bass and vocals provided a sturdy backbone, perfectly complementing the raw power behind Chris Robyn’s driving rhythms and thunderous beats, which propelled the band to new heights. Flanagan’s voice soared, providing (as usual) the melodic overtones that anchor the trio’s compositions.
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| Black Map's Ben Flanagan @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The setlist was a masterful blend of old favorites and fresh hits, showcasing Black Map's evolution over the past 11 years. Classics like “Code” and “No Color” ignited the crowd, while newer tracks such as “Madness” and “Witching Hour” hooked fans with infectious energy and tight hooks. Singles from the upcoming album — including “Disintegrate” and “Hex” — were definite highlights, with the audience already singing along. “Badlands,” with its haunting melodies, stood out as a prime example of the band’s ability to craft pop-tinged rock soundscapes that lingered long after the final note.
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| Ben Flanagan of Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
A particularly fun moment came during “Let Me Out,” when Flanagan addressed the crowd: “Now’s the time where I get to pick a totally random person from the audience to come join us onstage to help sing this next song — you sir, come on up! What’s your name?” The “random” audience member turned out to be local singer/songwriter Adam Yas, who’s guest-performed with Black Map in the past.
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| Mark Engles, Adam Yas, and Ben Flanagan of Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
“White Fence” charmed with its captivating guitar work by Engles and strong vocal dynamics from Flanagan, while “Indoor Kid” enraptured the crowd with its pulsing bass groove. The title track from the new album, “Hex,” cast a brooding spell, closing in with the energy of a potential summer anthem — “Come get it!”
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| Ben Flanagan of Black Map @ the Bottom of the Hill (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the show reached its crescendo, “Run Rabbit Run” exploded with relentless energy, leaving the crowd exhilarated and clamoring for more. Closing with their very first single, “I’m Just the Driver,” brought the evening to a fitting close — epitomizing Black Map’s unwavering intensity and reaffirming that they remain a force to be reckoned with in the post-punk scene.
With the release of Hex just days away, here’s hoping the band is ready for more live shows throughout the year!
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