"The Black Angel" is more than just a song - it's a haunting reflection on an environmental disaster that many in Greenland still live with today. This track revisits the dark legacy of the Black Angel lead-zinc mine in Maarmorilik, which operated from 1973 to 1990, leaving a trail of pollution and health risks that continue to affect the local community.
For those of us who grew up in the region, the mine wasn’t just a distant operation - it was part of our landscape, our reality. The fjord, once pristine, was tainted by the relentless pursuit of profit. The long-term effects of lead exposure are only now fully coming to light, as the people who called this place home struggle with health complications linked to that era.
The name "The Black Angel" isn't just symbolic; it carries the weight of corporate greed and environmental neglect. Lead poisoning is a silent destroyer, and the track serves as a stark reminder of the cost of unchecked industrial activity. It’s a story that needs to be told, and sometimes, the most powerful way to tell it is through music.
This song isn’t just about looking back - it’s about raising awareness. The agenda behind these operations is clear: depopulation of small settlements to make way for large-scale resource extraction. The pattern repeats, and those in power continue to ignore the real consequences, while local pseudo-activists and academics from the south enable the status quo instead of fighting for real change.
Musical Elements
Musically, "The Black Angel" is built on deep, resonant tones that echo the weight of its message. The Jupiter-8 bass provides a powerful foundation, while the synth lead - my own 'Rainbow Lead 1975', recreated using Vital - cuts through like a voice crying out for justice.
Listen to the solo in ‘The Black Angel’ (Timestamped): here.
Watch How It Was Made
Here's a deeper look at how "The Black Angel" was made:
Greenland deserves better. The future depends on what we do now, and I hope this song plays a small role in keeping the conversation alive.