Alternative heavy metal outfit Black Market Hero emerged out of the 2005 breakup of Jersey nu-metal rockers 40 Below Summer, who played their last show together that September. Following 40 Below's dissolution, vocalist Max Illidge, guitarist Joey d'Amico, and bassist Hector Graziani wanted to continue playing as unit, so they quickly teamed up with ex-Flaw guitarist Ryan Jurhs and drummer Ali Nasser, christening themselves Black Market Hero in the process. Looking to bands like Pantera and Soundgarden for influence, the sonically aggressive quintet soon included another Flaw alum, drummer Micah Havertape, who signed on in place of Nasser by the year's end. Based out of New York City, Black Market Hero's pedigree allowed them to basically emerge on the scene with a built-in fan base and the guys got straight to writing new songs. In January 2006, however, Graziani was forced to step down from his post due to the severe hearing loss he had suffered from years of performing that could no longer be ignored.
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