Doomsday Outlaw – Hard Times

Back with their latest album Hard Times. Derbyshire powerhouse Doomsday Outlaw deliver a fantastic, dynamic, contemporary album with a twist. I say twist because the album is diverse whilst been true to their roots, the songs are varied in creativity that will have you rocking from it blues induced start to its swanky 70’s rock funk fueled finale.

Swaggering in like a steam infused blues train, title track Hard times, is reminiscent of Aerosmith’s – Sweet Emotion. The song is full of sentiment, about being put through hard times; hard n heavy rock is what you get.  Whatever experiences Doomsday Outlaw have used to draw upon, they have made for a first-rate album which is varied in style but oozing in the hard edge sound they have become known for, especially when playing live.

Into the light had me at the opening line ”and I wander into the light, for you”. Phil Poole delivers a captivating vocal performance and accompanies this heartfelt magnum opus on piano, move over Amy Lee of Evanescence, cause there’s a  new songster in town!  The eclectic Days since I saw the sun is a clever vibrant, melodic pop rock number vs dark bearing lyrics. Like a summer hit, being played on the radio, you could listen to it over and over again, whilst unintentionally ignoring the sadness behind the song meaning because you’ve been seduced by the melody of the chorus and the optimism of rhythmic soloing guitars.

Heading back to the heavy 70’s rock vibe, Doomsday Outlaw bring their  ‘A game’, on Will you wait. An epic thunderous arrangement, including an orchestra. Lasting 7 min 36 secs  it doesn’t really seem that long.  Poole sounds just like Paul Stanley with his  falsetto parts  and the track construction  does remind me of Kiss – I still love you, a great stand out track on this album.

The funky beats of Break you and Come my way  retain the flavor while adding a new twist to the ‘Doomsday’ sound. Taking this steam train thundering home  Too far left to fall  is a full on swarthy stoner rock number and just what you’d expect from the guys…Going out on a crescendo of banging drums, busting bass and guitars!

If you like your rock hard, and straight up Hard times is the album for you.

Track Listing:
1 Hard Times
2 Over And Over
3 Spirit That Made Me
4 Into The Light
5 Bring It On Home
6 Days Since I Saw The Sun
7 Will You Wait
8 Break You
9 Come My Way
10 Were You Ever Mine
11 Too Far Left To Fall

LINKS

https://doomsdayoutlaw.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DoomsdayOutlaw
https://twitter.com/doomsdayoutlaw

BAND MEMBERS: (photos by Alex English for PlanetMosh)