Taking inspiration from singer/songwriter Sal Mastrocola’s childhood growing up as a bisexual in a heavily Catholic environment in the Bronx, Buffalo’s Gatto Black is churning out melodic hardcore/emo songs that express that queer frustration. The band’s debut full-length Sky is Blue is due out by the end of 2025 on Triple Hammer Records, having been produced by the talents of both by Gary Cioni (Hot Mulligan, Crime in Stereo) and Michael Hansen (Pentimento, Hotel Etiquette) and recorded, mixed, and mastered by Gary Cioni at Sound Acres in New Jersey.
Today, Gatto Black are debuting the lyric video for their single “The Mask is Slipping” off the upcoming album. With a crackling rage, the track is a fiery burst of melodic hardcore that brings to mind the early days of AFI. Lyrically the track is a vulnerable song that lays bare the fears and conflicting emotions of a scared and lost queer child. “This song is about the moment you realize the mask that once protected you is now the thing holding you back,” explains Mastrocola. “For me, it’s about shedding the shame that religion instilled in me and choosing truth over fear.”
Check out the video below.
Sky is Blue is available for preorder from Triple Hammer Records. Follow Gatto Black on Instagram for future updates.
Photo courtesy of Gatto Black
