Yeah, unfortunately this isn't something that can be fixed on the screen that includes adjustment for color intensity.
When a window is maximized (from any program), the taskbar looks like this (and the title bar and sides too):
Black:
This black look is what I like. It works well with all of my programs and skinable applications.
When there are no windows open (just blank desktop) or when windows are minimized or restored (not maximized), I get this gray "charcoal" theme, which I do not like:
Gray:
This switch in color happens every time I change from maximized window to non-maximized, regardless of settings of the color intensity and regardless of what program I'm using.
If at all possible, I would really like to just keep it black and not see the gray theme at all.