Blackbraid: Native American Folk Meets Black Metal

Blackbraid, a solo project led by Jon Krieger (Sgah'gahsowáh), has emerged as a prominent force in extreme music by uniquely combining black metal with indigenous themes and Native American folk melodies. Since its 2022 debut, the project has gained widespread recognition, culminating in the release of its third album, Blackbraid III, in 2025, which is lauded as its most well-rounded work to date.

Recently, Blackbraid's EU/UK tour brought them to Dublin, Ireland, where their live performance captivated the audience. The band presented an unchained aspect of black metal, navigating intricate grooves and brutal blast-beat sections with anthemic guitar hooks. Their sonic presentation, focusing on dynamic shifts and engaging riffs rather than typical song structures, kept the show exciting for over 70 minutes.

Despite lengthy song titles, the setlist spanned all three albums, highlighting the progressive expansion of the project's musical concepts. The live rendition of 'The Dying Breath of a Sacred Stag' was a standout moment. Blackbraid's performance eschewed traditional rock and metal gimmicks, opting for a thunderous, emotionally charged set characterized by unique costumes and heavy fog, with the vocalist remaining silent throughout.