Heavy Fire by Black Star Riders (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)

Heavy Fire by Black Star Riders (Nuclear Blast Entertainment)

In the year 2017, the third time is going to be the charm for the hard rock and rolling Black Star Riders, ready and very able to hit spiraling heights – especially if their latest and greatest album Heavy Fire is indicative of greater glories ahead. Featuring members of the latter day version of Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders continue on with the grand tradition of the legendary Jailbreak brigade while firmly establishing their own exhilarating auditory journey. With superb musicians and the wondrously memorable tunes to back it all up, Black Star Riders has issued one of the most exciting albums of this brave New Year!

Black Star Riders lift off the Heavy Fire experience with the explosive title track, preaching to the rock and roll congregation with combustible riffs and their “Here’s the savior, now where’s the salvation?” lyrical state of mind. The party continues on with the raging inflections of When The Night Comes In, a wildly infectious anthem that will captivate the senses. Then there’s nothing in the world like Dancing With The Wrong Girl, a super catchy tune that should be all over the worldwide radio airwaves. “All you need is Jesus and a 44,” roars Who Rides The Tiger with a mighty sense of urgency. “Where is the woman that I love?” is the reflective inquiry on the stunning power ballad Cold War Love, closing out the first half of Heavy Fire with a persuasive sense of conviction.

The band gallops back into the rock and roll launch pad with the spiraling contemplations of Testify Or Say Goodbye. Thinking About You Could Get Me Killed has the band “raising Cain” with yet another powerhouse entry that should be a hit single of epic proportions. Then it’s time for a encounter with the True Blue Kid, who is well on the way to meeting fate and destiny in a world gone wild. The story of a young hellion is explored in the wickedly devastating Ticket To Rise, complete with a female backup chorus rendering this one a glorious standout. And for the grand finale, Black Star Riders “kiss tomorrow goodbye” with the rollicking Letting Go Of Me leaving you wanting to hear a whole lot more! And if you snag a copy of the Deluxe Edition of Heavy Fire, you wish for more blazing tunes will be granted with a bonus track entitled Fade.

In the saddle for this third magnum opus of heavy duty rock and roll is Ricky Warwick on vocals and guitar, Scott Gorham on guitars, Damon Johnson on guitars, Robert Crane on bass, and Jimmy DeGrasso on drums. Produced with massive skill and precision by Nick Raskulinecz, who own credits include the likes of Foo Fighters, Rush, and Alice In Chains, Heavy Fire by Black Star Riders is a career defining album that may wind up on many a Top Ten List when 2017 spins to its diabolic conclusion. In these strange and turbulent times, it is terrific to have a band like Black Star Riders ready to rock you into the stratosphere and beyond!

(Review by Ken Morton)

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