Black Out the Sun (album)

Black Out the Sun marks the band's first album in almost three years. After concluding touring in support of their eighth album, Cold Day Memory, many of the members spent 2012 working on side projects, with guitarist Clint Lowery and drummer Morgan Rose forming Call Me No One and releasing Last Parade. Concurrently, guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vinnie Hornsby formed Projected and released Human. By the end of the year, the members reunited and began collective work on Black Out the Sun.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AbsolutePunk	85%[8]
About.com	[9]
Allmusic	[10]
Loudwire	[11]
KNAC	[12]
PopMatters	[13]

The album received critical acclaim on release. Artist Direct gave a positive review, saying "it's like they've transmuted the ferocity of their classic self-titled debut, Home, and Animosity into the sharp, succinct songwriting sensibility of Cold Day Memory." Similarly Allmusic stated that "Black Out The Sun is such a solidly constructed album that it's hard to fault these guys for doing what they do best and giving the people the kind of skull-crushing hard rock that they're asking for." IMDb also reviewed the album, stating, "While the tone of the material on this album is a bit darker and more ominous, it's still every bit as much a Sevendust project; a few elements here began life in another form during Cold Day Memory's songwriting sessions, but as a whole the tense, urgent vibe here falls more in line with their groundbreaking 2001 release Animosity."[14] Larry Petro from KNAC gave the album 5 out of 5, stating, "I absolutely love it when a band puts out an album that is great from start to finish, with no urge to skip a track, and that's exactly what Sevendust has done with Black Out The Sun." The Aquarian Weekly reviewer praised the album, saying, "This album shows the group remains dedicated to their craft, excited about making new music and eager to embrace the risks that go with it. And that's the kind of thing that will keep the fans excited for a good while longer."[15] Dusty Peters from UnRated Magazine wrote, "Black Out the Sun is one of the most complete metal albums that has been released in quite some time. A fan or not of Sevendust, after listening to Black Out the Sun, you will truly experience the love that the band has for music and themselves. With over 16 years together and 9 recorded albums to their name, Sevendust has completed their musical journey to the top with Black Out the Sun."[16]

The album debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard 200,[17] and No. 5 on the Top Rock Albums chart,[18] selling around 27,000 copies in its first week of release.[19]