Showing posts with label Black Star Riders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black Star Riders. Show all posts

Sunday, 14 February 2021

ALBUM REVIEW: Ricky Warwick, “When Life Was Hard and Fast”

By: Richard Maw

 

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 19/02/2021

Label: Nuclear Blast




 

 

“When Life Was Hard and Fast” CD//DD//LP track listing:

 

1. When Life Was Hard and Fast

2. You Don't Love Me

3. I'd Rather Be Hit

4. Gunslinger

5. Never Corner A Rat

6. Time Don't Seem To Matter

7. Fighting Heart

8. I Don't Feel At Home

9. Still Alive

10. Clown Of Misery

11. You're My Rock 'n Roll

 

The Review:

 

Ricky Warwick roars back after his 2016 double album with this eleven-track collection of rock n roll songs, pitched somewhere between Thin Lizzy and Social Distortion. Warwick, of course has enjoyed quite a varied career; a guitar for hire with New Model Army, The Almighty- taken all the way to the UK top 5- an acoustic solo career, fronting the touring line up of Thin Lizzy and finally front man of Black Star Riders. He's still a pretty prolific writer, knocking out albums with regularity and finesse. No doubt about it, Ricky works at his craft and keeps moving forward.

 

All but two of the tracks here is electric and with an energy level not used since, perhaps, “Just Add Life” by The Almighty back in 1996. You get wistful rock in the title track, punked up swagger in “Never Corner A Rat” and “Gunslinger”, some rather sweet acoustic work in “Time Don't Seem To Matter” and anthemic rock/punk in “Fighting Heart”. The album has a fair few moods and manages to keep an edge on its blade for the most part. There are more middle of the road moments here and there- but this is a big step up in attitude and energy from his previous solo electric work.

 

The songs are uniformly finely crafted and shot through with regret and even nostalgia. The production packs a punch too- loud and raw from the drums to the guitars and vocals. There is some good storytelling too; “Still Alive” is a rip roaring crime tale and one that's well told at that. I'm hugely fond of the one-two closing punch of “Clown of Misery” and “You're My Rock 'n Roll”. The former is a strange kind of maudlin acoustic number with a demo sound, while the latter is full on Mike-Ness-in-a-hotrod-punk-rocking.

 

The best way to sum up the record is that it is convincing. You believe what Warwick sings and his delivery is stellar. I'd recommend this to anyone who is a fan of any of the bands mentioned. “When Life Was Hard And Fast” is a quality album full of swagger and a good measure of restraint at times. It will scratch that singer-songwriter itch and is the best solo record Warwick has put out to date. Mission accomplished

 

“When Life Was Hard and Fast” is available HERE



Band info: facebook

Wednesday, 22 March 2017

ALBUM REVIEW: Black Star Riders - "Heavy Fire"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 03/02/2017
Label: Nuclear Blast

 
“Let's not mince words here, this is straightforward hard rock. Big choruses, big sounds and big hooks are the order of the day. The production is superb; thick and muscular with the right amount of polish.  Black Star Riders have proved, again, that they are a fine hard rock proposition in their own right and with a strong work ethic, great live show and several albums under their belts, the band seem primed to rule the hard rock circuit.”

“Heavy Fire” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Heavy Fire (4:28)
2. When The Night Comes In (3:16)
3. Dancing With The Wrong Girl (3:21)
4. Who Rides The Tiger (4:20)
5. Cold War Love (4:05)
6. Testify Or Say Goodbye (4:17)
7. Thinking About You Could Get Me Killed (3:38)
8. True Blue Kid (4:17)
9. Ticket To Rise (4:38)
10. Letting Go Of Me (3:44)

The Review:

Black Star Riders are back with another full length studio album. Their line-up has never been consistent, but mainstays Scott Gorham (yes, Thin Lizzy) and Ricky Warwick are still the driving forces along with Damon Johnson and Jimmy Degrasso. The band are on rollicking form here; fans of The Almighty will recognise Warwick's writing style in the opening title track and elsewhere on the record.

Let's not mince words here, this is straightforward hard rock. Big choruses, big sounds and big hooks are the order of the day. The production is superb; thick and muscular with the right amount of polish. BSR grew out of the touring Thin Lizzy line up and you can certainly hear that- as you could on the preceding albums. This time, though, there is more of the band's own stamp on things.

Certainly, “Dancing With The Wrong Gir”l sounds very Lizzy- but “When The Night Comes In” sounds much less so. Warwick's references to god and guns are very much present and correct (as a rock n roll motif, not as an endorsement of either, you understand!). Over the ten tracks there are more restrained moments such as “Cold War Love”, out and out rockers like “Who Rides The Tiger”, familiar harmonies such as those on “Testify Or Say Goodbye” with it's rhyming chorus and so on. You get half time type grooves on “Thinking About You Could Get Me Killed” (and the title track, for that matter) and lots of stellar lead work.

By going all out on ten finely honed tracks, this is a stronger record than, say, “All Hell Breaks Loose”- which was strong in itself. More time together on the road and the studio must surely help- but these rock and roll veterans have been around the block many times, so they know how to deliver anthemic tracks like “True Blue Kid”. Warwick continues his penchant for excruciating puns on “Ticket to Rise”, but title aside, it's a fine low slung groove with some female backing vocals adding an extra dimension. Tough-as-nails/sweet-as-sugar closing statement “Letting Go Of Me” is a rocking note to finish the album on.

Black Star Riders have proved, again, that they are a fine hard rock proposition in their own right and with a strong work ethic, great live show and several albums under their belts, the band seem primed to rule the hard rock circuit. Indeed, a very high UK chart placing for this album shows that the public are taking notice and taking the band to heart, as they should. Catch them live in 2017 and witness the power for yourself.

“Heavy Fire” is available here




Band info: official || facebook


Sunday, 6 March 2016

Ricky Warwick - “When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) / Hearts On Trees” (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length x2
Date Released: 26/02/2016
Label: Nuclear Blast



Some of the writing is rather tender, some rock out (with a small “r”) but all of it is high quality. If you fancy a change from listening to droning sludge, negative black metal, or you just cannot stop listening to Motorhead after Lemmy's passing then this album could be a welcome relief.  The production is great; superbly played and sung with great melodies and most of all great songs.  Such song writers need your support, so why not try these records out and catch him live with whoever he is playing with. You won't regret it!

“When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) / Hearts On Trees”
CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. The Road To Damascus Street (4:13)
02. Celebrating Sinking (4:02)
03. When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (4:24)
04. Toffee Town (3:33)
05. That's Where The Story Ends (3:51)
06. Johnny Ringo's Last Ride (3:34)
07. Gold Along The Cariboo (3:58)
08. Son Of The Wind (3:04)
09. If You're Not Going To Leave Me (3:07)
10. Yesteryear (3:34)
11. Presbyterian Homesick Blues (3:41)
12. Tank McCullough Saturdays (3:45)
13. Psycho (2:51)
14. Hearts On Trees (3:46)
15. Said Samson to Goliath (5:35)
16. Way Too Cold For Snow (3:33)
17. Schwaben Redoubt (3:25)
18. The Year Of Living Dangerously (3:58)
19. Disasters (2:59)
20. 82 (2:47)

The Review:

Not exactly the usual Sludgelord fare.... but this double album release is well worth your attention. Let's be clear: this is not metal. It is not punk. However, Ricky Warwick's links to both of those genres are inextricable. Warwick started his career in New Model Army and then went on to form and have great success with The Almighty (who morphed with the times from G 'n' R to Therapy? to The Clash and so on).

Since 2003, Warwick has been a solo artist of the singer/songwriter variety; think somewhere between Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen but by way of Belfast and you are in the right ball park. He also fronts Black Star Riders, of course, and has made two storming records with them.

This double album sees Warwick in full on rock mode for ten tracks and then acoustic mode for the latter disc. I prefer the acoustic half, but that is just me. The production is great; superbly played and sung with great melodies and most of all great songs. The nostalgic likes of the electric disc's title track and the acoustic half's “Tank McCullough Saturdays” tap a rich vein of Belfast tales, harking back to the seventies. Warwick co-writes on a few of the tracks here, writes solo on others and does a very mean “Psycho” with no writing input from him. Andy Cairns of Therapy? (another Belfast boy) pops up on “Celebrating Sinking” (great title) while “Johnny Ringo's Last Ride” has tall tales of tough guys in Northern Ireland, also with a string punk styling in the presentation. The likes of the acoustic half's title track “Hearts on Trees” is kind of Irish inflected Americana, while two cranes speak to each other on “Said Samson and Goliath” at the docks.

Some of the writing is rather tender, some rock out (with a small “r”) but all of it is high quality. If you fancy a change from listening to droning sludge, negative black metal, or you just cannot stop listening to Motorhead after Lemmy's passing then this album could be a welcome relief. The two discs come as a pair; Warwick is a prolific and consistent songwriter. I am a huge fan; I still rank “Crank” by The Almighty as one of the best records from my youth (and, well, in general, really) and saw Warwick play to around seven people in Leeds in 2003 at the New Roscoe when he was starting out on the comeback trail. Pleasingly, I last saw him at Sheffield Arena supporting Whitesnake and Def Leppard just before Christmas last year. He is an engaging and charismatic performer in either setting. I can tell you that his live show is superb and he comes across as a down to earth and likeable bloke. Such song writers need your support, so why not try these records out and catch him live with whoever he is playing with. You won't regret it!

“When Patsy Cline Was Crazy and Hearts on Trees” is available now


Band info: rickywarwick

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Black Star Riders - 'The Killer Instinct' (Album Review)







Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 20/02/2015
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

‘The Killer Instinct’ CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Killer Instinct  3:32
2. Bullet Blues  4:54
3. Finest Hour  3:56
4. Soldierstown  4:49
5. Charlie I Gotta Go  4:13
6. Blindsided  5:59
7. Through The Motions  3:47
8. Sex, Guns & Gasoline  3:59
9. Turn In Your Arms  3:50
10. You Little Liar  7:08

Black Star Riders are

Ricky Warwick | Vocals
Scott Gorham | Guitar
Damon Johnson | Guitar
Robbie Crane | Bass
Jimmy DeGrasso | Drums

Review:

Ricky Warwick joining up with Thin Lizzy was a masterstroke- the Northern Irishman proving a perfect fit vocally for the Lizzy touring line-up. When the band morphed into Black Star Riders and shed a few members here and there things changes a little, but not too much. Ultimately, you are getting Thin Lizzy guitars (from Scott Gorham) coupled with Warwick's song writing in the vein of a more restrained version of The Almighty, his band of the 90's. I was and am a huge fan of Warwick's Almighty era and his solo career too, so it pleases me hugely that he is still making music at the top level rather than working as a delivery driver, which he did during his musical hiatus of the late 90's.

BSR's first album together was a good one- very Lizzy in places with trademark harmony guitars and some real Lynott-isms in the vocals. Essentially, “The Killer Instinct” picks up exactly where “All Hell Breaks loose” left off. There is, truthfully, less of Thin Lizzy in there this time around and more of Warwick’s personal writing (at least to my ears). Tracks like ‘Sex, Guns and Gasoline’ are pure late period Almighty (or even early period) while the title track and ‘Bullet Blues’ are much more Lizzy-esque. ‘Soldiertown’ is basically ‘Emerald’ (but not as good, I hasten to add) but the band excel themselves elsewhere with rocking grooves like ‘Through The Motions’.

Over the course of the ten track standard edition you get well played and written hard rock with Thin Lizzy inflections aplenty. It's reassuring to know that the Lizzy legacy is in good hands and that the memory of Phil Lynott is kept in the minds of those linked to his legacy.

The band rebranding themselves as BSR was an excellent move; however good their albums might be, they will most likely not reach the heights of ‘Jailbreak’, ‘Fighting’, ‘Johnny The Fox’, ‘Black Rose’ et al- which in my view are some of the greatest rock albums ever made. That said, if you need convincing of this album's quality, give ‘You Little Liar’ a listen in all its seven minutes of glory. This is superlative modern hard rock, made by veterans who know exactly what they are doing. Oh, and go and see them live, too, as they are very, very good!

Words by: Richard Maw

‘The Killer Instinct’ is available everywhere now

For more information:








Tuesday, 20 January 2015

The Sludgelord News: Daily Digest

Your rundown of the top sludge news stories of the day …

EYEHATEGOD - There’s a real possibility that without EYEHATEGOD there wouldn’t be a Sludgelord website. The Sludge pioneers, along with friends Crowbar helped to create and define the distinctive style of metal that Beavis & Butthead once described as “slow and fat”. In the early 1990s, it was as far away from the norm as you could get in metal music. Today they are legends, having been through the toughest battles imaginable and persevered, now Eyehategod is soon to embark on a tour that will take them from California to Maryland.

The tour will find the band playing five California cities in late January, then double back across the continent to Boston in early February, then moving south through New York and ending back in the south with a show in Baltimore alongside doom legends Saint Vitus. That will be a show that fans will want to hang on to their ticket stubs for years to come.

Here are the tour dates:
1/22/2015 Jerry's Pizza & Pub - Bakersfield, CA
1/23/2015 Moose Lodge - Lancaster, CA
1/24/2015 Alex's Bar - Long Beach, CA
1/25/2015 Sweet Springs Saloon - San Luis Obispo, CA
1/26/2015 Strummers - Fresno, CA
2/04/2015 Brighton Music Hall - Boston MA
2/05/2015 The Clash Bar - Clifton, NJ
2/06/2015 Saint Vitus - Brooklyn, NY
2/07/2015 Saint Vitus - Brooklyn, NY
2/08/2015 Ottobar - Baltimore, MD w/ Cro Mags, Saint Vitus, Misery Index


Source:

Earsplit PR

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INQUISITION - American black metal band INQUISITION will also be on the road this January and February, albeit in Europe. The tour, which starts today in Berlin (see list of dates below), will concentrate on the country of Germany and finish up in Russia, February 14. They’ll be joined on stage by ArchgoatOndskapt and Blackdeath, except for the final four stops.

The band is touring in support of their latest, ‘Obscure Verses for the Multiverse’, out on Season of Mist Records. You can stream and download the album in its entirety at this location and buy a physical copy of the record at this location.

Here’s the full list of tour dates:
20/01/2015 DE Berlin K17 21/01/2015 PL Kraków Fabryka Club
22/01/2015 CZ Prague Nová Chmelnice
23/01/2015 DE Erfurt From Hell
24/01/2015 DE München Backstage
25/01/2015 CH Lausanne Le Romandie
26/01/2015 IT Brescia Circolo Colony
27/01/2015 LU Luxemburg KulturFabrik
28/01/2015 FR Paris Divan du Monde
29/01/2015 UK London Underworld
30/01/2015 NL Nijmegen Doornroosje
31/01/2015 DE Essen Turock
01/02/2015 DK Odense Posten
02/02/2015 DE Flensburg Roxy
03/02/2015 DE Kassel Rostlaube
04/02/2015 AU Wien Escape Club
05/02/2015 CH Zürich Alte Kaserne
06/02/2015 BE Huy Atelier Rock
07/02/2015 DE Weinheim Cafe Zentral

11/02/2015 LV Riga Nabaklab
12/02/2015 EE Tallinn Tapper
13/02/2015 RU Saint Petersburg Phoenix
14/02/2015 RU Moscow Seven

Source:

Season of Mist Records

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MONOMYTH - Staying with the tour circuit for a moment … Dutch heavy psych / stoner/ drone band MONOMYTH’s most recent album ‘Further’ is about traveling and movement. The band moves through great distances of sound on the 4-song, 45-minute opus, reaching from the ordinary to the surreal with kaleidoscopic vision. So, what better way to take their sound ‘further’ than to pack it up and tour it around the UK?

Well, that’s the plan as it was revealed today. The band will hit British shores this February, taking a peculiar route, ping-ponging across the land along the way.  The band plays their first show of the tour in Cardiff on Thursday the 19th, then will zip up to Glasgow for a Friday show, then back down to Bournemouth for a Saturday engagement, after which point the band will work their way back up to Edinburgh.

In a way, the tour itinerary artfully recreates the kind of sonic journey concertgoers should expect to witness at the shows. This is the first chance fans in the UK will have had to catch the band live.

Here’s the full schedule:
Thu 19th Cardiff The Moon Club
Fri 20th Glasgow Audio
Sat 21st Bournemouth The Anvil
Sun 22nd Milton Keynes The Crauford Arms
Mon 23rd London The Macbeth
Tue 24th Chester The Compass
Wed 25th Birmingham Alfie Birds
Thu 26th Edinburgh Bannermans

Tickets are available through all usual outlets. 


Source:

Duff Press

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POMBAGIRA - And speaking of winding musical journeys, London duo POMBAGIRA released details of their upcoming sixth album ‘FLESH THRONE PRESS’. The album will be released on March 23 through Svart Records, and it will feature over 80 minutes of new music on double-CD and double vinyl.

Throughout the course of their 8 year existence, Pombagira has undertaken many musical explorations with this latest album being their most psychedelic yet. The subject matter involves necromancy and communication with the dead. The title track is streaming right now on Soundcloud and is arguably their heaviest song to date. More audio previews have been promised in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more.

For now, listen to “Flesh Throne Press” at this location.


Source:
Rarely Unable PR

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TIMEKILLER - Portland, Oregon has become a mecca for emerging musicians and artists in the early years of the 21st century. One of the leaders in exporting the local underground scene’s endeavors is EOLIAN EMPIRE RECORDS, who you may recall released a compilation of local musicians in 2013 called ‘(We’ve Gotta) Keep Our Heads: Heavy Vibes from Portland, Oregon’. Well, the label is releasing a new compilation soon, but this time they’re focusing their gaze outward at bands from around the globe who share that heavy aesthetic that Portland is becoming known for. One of those bands is Brazilian trio TIMEKILLER.

Their song “Sick of Myself” has been added to the tracklist of Eolian Empire Records upcoming ‘(We’ve Got) Fiends in Low Places’ compilation. It’s the third such song to be streamed and you’ll find it on the Cvlt Nation website. The compilation will be released on February 3 as 333 cassettes with a download ticket included. You can pre-order a copy at this location.

You can take a listen to Timekiller’s effort “Sick of Myself” at this location.


Source:
Earsplit PR

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GRIZZLOR / BARREN WOMB - In other release news, an intercontinental treaty was announced today as American noise rock band GRIZZLOR will team up with Dutch Noise Punks BARREN WOMB for a split 7 inch record. The vinyl will feature two songs from each band and will be out March 17 on Righteous Outburst Records. The single can be pre-ordered at this location right now. For a sneak preview, check out this video.

And for more info, visit these links:

Source:
The Perfect Hoax

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BLACK STAR RIDERS - Another band with a new album looming on the horizon is BLACK STAR RIDERS. It’s the follow up to 2013’s ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’ and it will be coming to you through Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be released in a number of editions, including CD and vinyl and limited edition double-CD with a bonus disc and clear vinyl records. The album, titled ‘The Killer Instinct’ will be released on February 23.

Recently, Damon Johnson and Scott Gorham of the band sat down to talk about working with new producer Nick Raskulinecz, whose credits include albums by RushFoo FightersAlice in Chains and Mastodon. The band members described him as the “sixth member of the band”. You can watch that video at this location.

If you’re in and around the UK or will be in March and you’d like a more up-close-and-personal experience of the band, you can catch them at the following dates:

March 2: Olympia Theatre, Dublin
March 3: Ulster Hall, Belfast
March 5: o2 ABC, Glasgow
March 6: o2 ABC, Glasgow
March 7: o2 Academy, Newcastle
March 8: o2 Academy, Leeds
March 10: Rock City, Nottingham
March 11: Corn Exchange, Cambridge
March 13: Academy, Manchester
March 14: Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
March 15: University, Exeter
March 16: o2 Academy, Bristol
March 18: o2 Academy, Bournemouth
March 19: UEA, Norwich
March 20: o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
March 21: o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

Buy tickets: http://bit.ly/BSRTour

THE AMORETTES are support on all dates except Glasgow March 5th and London March 20th – support on these shows is TBA.


Source:
Nuclear Blast Records

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FALLUJAH - In other NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS news, progressive death metal band FALLUJAH has signed with the label, it was announced. Last year’s ‘The Flesh Prevails’ album won the band praise across the death metal and progressive metal communities, including topping several year-end lists. Well, the German based label didn’t fail to notice.

"We're extremely excited to be part of a roster alongside not just great bands, but great people who are dedicated to the craft and enthusiastic about our vision of where we see FALLUJAH going,” comments the band. “FALLUJAH is all about pushing the envelope, taking risks, and keeping an open mind; with that mentality we felt Nuclear Blast was the most obvious and logical step for a band such as ours. With our team behind us, we can’t wait to see FALLUJAH grow."

There were no immediate plans for the band to record a follow-up, when the album does surface, it will do so under the Nuclear Blast banner.


Source:
Nuclear Blast Records

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RIFFLORD -  And finally, it was announced yesterday that up-and-coming stoner doom label STB Records has signed a new band to its growing roster. Austin, Texas quartet RIFFLORD has joined the ranks alongside bands like GoyaDoctor Doom and Red Wizard. The news comes just days after the label revealed that it had signed Minnesota trio Let It Breathe to a record deal. Further details were not released.


Source:
STB Records

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And now you’re all caught up in the world of sludge.

Monday, 12 January 2015

The Sludgelord News: BLACK STAR RIDERS | DAMON JOHNSON AND SCOTT GORHAM DISCUSS THE NEW ALBUM 'THE KILLER INSTINCT' IN FIRST ALBUM TRAILE



Fresh from the critically acclaimed debut album All Hell Breaks Loose in 2013, Black Star Riders are set to release a new studio album, The Killer Instinct, in February 2015. The band entered the studio with heralded producer Nick Raskulinecz (RUSH, THE FOO FIGHTERS, ALICE IN CHAINS, MASTODON) this time round and in the first album trailer, Damon Johnson and Scott Gorham explain how the guys came up with the album title and the general theme. Watch the trailer over on the Nuclear Blast YouTube channel: http://youtu.be/CcSvF3glc9w 





The artwork for the new album was recently revealed, which frontman Ricky Warwick describes as ‘...a bit of a continuation from ‘All Hell Breaks Loose,’ people will see the link - it’s very Rock N Roll. It’s going to look cool’.


The release of The Killer Instinct will be followed by a full UK and Eire co-headline tour with Europe throughout March 2015. The dates rack up as follows:

March 2: Olympia Theatre, Dublin
March 3: Ulster Hall, Belfast
March 5: o2 ABC, Glasgow
March 6: o2 ABC, Glasgow
March 7: o2 Academy, Newcastle
March 8: o2 Academy, Leeds
March 10: Rock City, Nottingham
March 11: Corn Exchange, Cambridge
March 13: Academy, Manchester
March 14: Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
March 15: University, Exeter
March 16: o2 Academy, Bristol
March 18: o2 Academy, Bournemouth
March 19: UEA, Norwich
March 20: o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
March 21: o2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

Buy tickets: http://bit.ly/BSRTour

THE AMORETTES are support on all dates except Glasgow March 5th and London March 20th – support on these shows is TBC.

Source: Nuclear Blast UK