They almost always walk
60%
of contests with a top-10 call
A call in 6 of 10 contests
A top-10 category call in 60% of their 10 contests — they get to the stage more often than not.
BLACK METAL BBQ
At a glance (everything the results say about this team, in numbers)
Rating
1536
peak 1537 · rated over 10 contests ⓘ
Contests
10
in the data
First seen
2014-06-27
latest 2017-08-18
Best ToY finish
#948
Master 2017
Grand champs
0
0 reserve
Category wins
0
2 podiums
Overall top-10s
3
of 10 contests
Avg finish
top 46%
overall standings
Perfect 180s
0
Current form
673.27 ▲
last 5 Master vs avg 665.21 (+8.07)
Walk rate
60%
contests with a top-10 call
Consistency
±17.19
std dev of Master overall scores (lower = steadier)
Strongest meat
Pork
avg 168.66 · weakest Pork Ribs (162.54)
Road miles
503
mi across 10 mapped stops · furthest 44 mi
Schedule strength
48%
of rated fields were softer than their average draw (1562)
Master avg
665.21 / 720
10 Master contests · 0 GCs
Storylines (10 found in this team's record)
Each card leads with the number that made it a story — read straight out of their results, no editorialising.
High-water mark
694.8232
career-best overall
96.5% of a perfect 720
Their best day on record: 694.8232 at Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festisval — 96.5% of a perfect 720.
- Master
- 2016-08-19
The one to beat
2×
one call ahead of them
ONTARGET BBQ has finished one call ahead of BLACK METAL BBQ 2 times — their closest competition in the data.
A tough matchup
7–1
behind in the head-to-head
GREY STREET BBQ ahead in 88% of their meetings
GREY STREET BBQ has come out ahead in 7 of their 8 shared contests.
The weak link
−6.1
points behind their best meat
Pork Ribs is where the weekend gets away from them — it averages 6.12 points below their pork, and turns into a call 10% of the time against 40%.
- Pork Ribs avg 162.54
- Pork avg 168.66
- 1 calls in 10 entries
A strong matchup
6–1
ahead in the head-to-head
Ahead in 86% of their meetings
They've finished ahead of ACME BBQ in 6 of their 7 shared contests.
Pork nemesis
7 of 8
shared pork entries lost
GREY STREET BBQ ahead 88% of the time
Even in their strongest meat, GREY STREET BBQ has out-cooked them in 7 of 8 shared pork entries.
Announced themselves early
5th
at their very first contest
Finished 5 of 34 at their very first tracked contest, Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness (2014-06-27).
- 2014-06-27
- 34-team field
The metronome
±2.39%
swing around their own average
Their overall lands within ±2.39% of a perfect score of their own average — whatever the field, you know roughly what they'll turn in.
- averages 92.4% of a perfect score
- 10 contests
A standing appointment
4
years running at one contest
They've cooked *Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness every year from 2014 to 2017 — the contest they never miss.
- 4 visits in all
- best finish 5th
Teams like this (closest power rating)
The nearest teams in the power rankings, with a different reason on each card — six teams on one rating are rarely on it for the same reason. Rating decides who makes the list; where teams tie on it, the ones this team has actually cooked against come first, then teams at a similar point in their own career. KCBS doesn’t publish where a team is from, so nothing here is inferred from geography.
69 rated teams sit within a point of this rating, so a place on this list means the numbers match — no more than that.
#2047 of the rated field
- Contests
- 15
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 20%
- Peak
- 1536
1–0 in 1 shared contest (100% to BLACK METAL BBQ)
One contest in common so far: too few to settle anything, but a team BLACK METAL BBQ has actually stood beside rather than a stranger on the same rating.
⚔ Head-to-head#2044 of the rated field
- Contests
- 29
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 21%
- Peak
- 1550
0–2 in 2 shared contests (0% to BLACK METAL BBQ)
29 contests to 10: their number has had years to settle where BLACK METAL BBQ's is still finding its level.
⚔ Head-to-head#2041 of the rated field
- Contests
- 66
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 14%
- Peak
- 1601
2–3 in 5 shared contests (40% to BLACK METAL BBQ)
They've been 1601 at their best, 64 points above where they sit today — they're arriving at this rating from above.
⚔ Head-to-head#2068 of the rated field
- Contests
- 10
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 40%
- Peak
- 1536
No shared contest yet.
They turned up 6 years after BLACK METAL BBQ did, first appearing in 2020.
⚔ Head-to-head#2060 of the rated field
- Contests
- 10
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 30%
- Peak
- 1537
No shared contest yet.
Level with BLACK METAL BBQ on power rating, which is the whole reason they're on the list.
⚔ Head-to-head#2059 of the rated field
- Contests
- 11
- GCs
- 0
- Top-10s
- 9%
- Peak
- 1547
No shared contest yet.
Careers of much the same size, 11 contests to 10, so neither rating has had more chance to settle than the other.
⚔ Head-to-headFamiliar foes (most-met opponents in overall standings — one meeting per contest)
| Opponent | Meetings | Ahead | Behind | Win rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREY STREET BBQ | 8 | 1 | 7 | 13% | ⚔ compare |
| ACME BBQ | 7 | 6 | 1 | 86% | ⚔ compare |
| FARMER'S RETREAT SMOKIN BARBEQUE | 7 | 6 | 1 | 86% | ⚔ compare |
| SQUEALERS AWARD WINNING BARBEQUE | 7 | 3 | 4 | 43% | ⚔ compare |
| WeQ4U | 7 | 2 | 5 | 29% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKIN' HOOKERS BAR-B-Q LLC | 7 | 2 | 5 | 29% | ⚔ compare |
| BIG JT'S SMOKIN BBQ | 7 | 1 | 6 | 14% | ⚔ compare |
| THUNDER HOG BBQ | 7 | 1 | 6 | 14% | ⚔ compare |
| RIB RUNNERS | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83% | ⚔ compare |
| LITTLE BOB'S BBQ | 6 | 5 | 1 | 83% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKIN' 4-PLAY BBQ | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50% | ⚔ compare |
| HUG HOGS | 6 | 2 | 4 | 33% | ⚔ compare |
| DOLF'S BBQ | 5 | 5 | 0 | 100% | ⚔ compare |
| Making Meat BBQ | 5 | 4 | 1 | 80% | ⚔ compare |
| SMOKE-N-PEPPERS | 5 | 2 | 3 | 40% | ⚔ compare |
By meat
| Category | Entries | Calls | Wins | Podiums | Best | Worst | Average | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 177.1544 | 155.9888 | 166.67 | top 51% |
| Pork Ribs | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 174.8688 | 154.8116 | 162.54 | top 59% |
| Pork | 10 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 176.5600 | 155.3484 | 168.66 | top 37% |
| Brisket | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 176.5600 | 161.1316 | 167.35 | top 42% |
“Calls” = top-10 category finishes (getting called to the stage). Scores here are the final weighted totals KCBS publishes; per-criterion appearance/taste/tenderness marks aren’t in the public results feed.
By contest size
| Field | Contests | GCs | Avg finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium (20–39) | 6 | 0 | top 50% |
| Large (40+) | 4 | 0 | top 41% |
Contest-by-contest record (recurring contests they've cooked twice or more)
| Contest | Visits | Best | GCs | Avg finish | Last visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness | 4 | 5 | 0 | top 38% | 2017-06-16 |
The story so far (14 numbers that describe this team)
On the trail
3.1 yrs
2014-06-27 → 2017-08-18
Busiest season
2017
4 contests
Contests a season
2.5
across 4 seasons in the data
Cooks most in
IN
10 of 10 contests
Contests visited
7
1 of them cooked more than once
Most-entered meat
Chicken
10 entries · 0 wins · 2 calls
Strongest meat
Pork
averages 168.66 · weakest Pork Ribs (162.54)
Walk rate
60%
a top-10 call in 6 of 10 contests
Overall top-10 rate
30%
3 of 10 contests
Master average
665.21
out of 720 · 10 contests · 0 GCs
Opponents faced
194
228–172 across every shared overall standing
Road miles
503
10 mapped stops · furthest 44 mi
Schedule strength
1562
average field rating faced — tougher than 48% of rated contests
Power rating
1536
peak 1537 · #2055 of 6,413 rated
Milestones (the firsts, the round numbers and the personal bests)
- 2014
- First tracked contest Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness
- First call Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness
- First overall top-10 Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness
- First overall past 90% of a perfect score683.3372 Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness
- Career-best single call (Chicken)177.1544 Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness
- 2016
- Career-best overall score694.8232 Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festisval
- 2017
- Peak power rating (1537) *Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness
- 10th tracked contest Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival
- Most recent contest Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival
Power rating over time (1500 = average; recomputed nightly)
📈 Biggest rating jumps
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| +16.4 | Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festisval | 2016-08-19 |
| +13.1 | Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness | 2014-06-27 |
| +9.4 | *Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness | 2017-06-16 |
| +3.9 | Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival | 2017-08-18 |
| +3.3 | Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness | 2016-06-24 |
📉 Toughest weekends
| Swing | Contest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| -5.2 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour | 2017-07-07 |
| -4.5 | St. Leon BBQ Smoke Fest and Chili Cook Off | 2014-09-12 |
| -2.4 | Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival | 2015-08-21 |
| -1.3 | Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness | 2015-06-26 |
Category scores over time
Overall finish over time (top-% of field, lower is better)
Where they finish (overall)
Best vs average (by meat)
How entries end (by meat)
Team of the Year rank by season
Season by season
| Season | Contests | GCs | Top-10s | Category wins | Walk rate | Avg finish | Best overall (% of perfect) | Avg overall (% of perfect) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 75% | top 49% | 94.7% | 92.8% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100% | top 27% | 96.5% | 94.7% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | top 64% | 89.6% | 89.3% |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50% | top 42% | 94.9% | 92.4% |
Contest history (click a row for the event, a column to sort)
| Date | Event | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-08-18 | Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival Madison, IN | 24 / 55 (671.2912) | 21 (170.8228) | 37 (159.9428) | 13 (172.5600) | 22 (167.9656) |
| 2017-07-07 | Sam's Club National BBQ Tour Indianapolis, IN | 23 / 30 (663.9204) | 22 (167.4400) | 24 (161.6688) | 24 (163.3828) | 10 (171.4288) |
| 2017-06-16 | *Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness Franklin, IN | 7 / 25 (682.1944) | 9 (169.6800) | 11 (169.7144) | 3 (174.2628) | 10 (168.5372) |
| 2017-04-07 | *CCS Fest Indianapolis, IN | 21 / 45 (654.1372) | 20 (166.2284) | 35 (154.8116) | 4 (171.9656) | 27 (161.1316) |
| 2016-08-19 | Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festisval Madison, IN | 4 / 63 (694.8232) | 15 (171.4172) | 4 (174.8688) | 11 (171.9772) | 6 (176.5600) |
| 2016-06-24 | Smoke on the Square: In memory of David Harness Franklin, IN | 15 / 31 (668.5032) | 27 (157.1088) | 17 (165.1088) | 6 (173.1428) | 6 (173.1428) |
| 2015-08-21 | Madison Ribberfest BBQ & Blues Festival Madison, IN | 42 / 64 (644.9712) | 22 (169.1200) | 53 (157.0856) | 54 (155.3484) | 32 (163.4172) |
| 2015-06-26 | Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness Franklin, IN | 21 / 34 (641.5432) | 25 (155.9888) | 19 (157.0744) | 22 (162.8000) | 15 (165.6800) |
| 2014-09-12 | St. Leon BBQ Smoke Fest and Chili Cook Off St. Leon, IN | 20 / 29 (647.3600) | 24 (161.7028) | 22 (159.4172) | 16 (164.5600) | 18 (161.6800) |
| 2014-06-27 | Smoke on the Square: In Memory of David Harness Franklin, IN | 5 / 34 (683.3372) | 4 (177.1544) | 16 (165.6800) | 3 (176.5600) | 21 (163.9428) |
Career map (orange GC · green top-10 · grey the rest — tap a pin)
Team of the Year standings (rank per category by season — year links to the full board on kcbs.us)
| Year | Series | Overall | Chicken | Ribs | Pork | Brisket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 ↗ | Master | #948 (365 pts) | #1016 (370 pts) | #1131 (300 pts) | #673 (615 pts) | #936 (390 pts) |
| 2016 ↗ | Master | #1021 (316 pts) | #1648 (166 pts) | #1105 (306 pts) | #1146 (301 pts) | #1009 (346 pts) |
| 2015 ↗ | Master | #2158 (60 pts) | #2118 (75 pts) | #2209 (60 pts) | #2225 (60 pts) | #2214 (60 pts) |
| 2014 ↗ | Master | #1132 (263 pts) | #1199 (268 pts) | #1548 (173 pts) | #1021 (333 pts) | #1587 (168 pts) |