PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
FUAGH A BALLAH (Clear the way), Black Star Riders (BSR) has released their fifth, tub-thumping, balls-fresh, heavy riffing new album ‘Wrong Side of Paradise’.
Black Star Riders are the offshoot band of Thin Lizzy, fronted by Ricky Warwick. Warwick set out to sustain ‘Lizzy’s reputation whilst delivering a fresh batch of classic rock for a new genre.
Wrong Side of Paradise boasts an impressive 11 tracks, (13 if you got the special bonus edition.) Now signed to Earache records, the band’s label has gone all out offering multiple formats of ‘Wrong Side Of Paradise’ from digipack CDs, cassettes, USBs and a vast array of record bundles.
The first single and title track Wrong Side of Paradise gives you all the beefy bones and cheeky romper Better Than Saturday Night, the playful attitude that you’ve become accustomed to from BSR, a bright breezy song with a sassy attitude that boasts Joe Elliot on backing vocals.
Wising up, and don’t be ridiculous are a few of the meanings for ‘Catch Yourself On’. I did wonder if Ricky has been watching too much Derry Girls! It’s one of my favourite songs off the album, I think we all could do with not being distracted by distraction.
Filled with gritty lyrics, Warwick’s vocals are strong on Hustle as are his harmonica skills on the song’s opening intro/close. Powering with sumptuous riffs and pounding drums the broody scowling lyrics on this heroes and villains song, has the tv series ‘Only Fools and Horses’ springing to mind.
Telling stories that appear to be semi-autobiographical, there seems to be a theme in Pay Dirt, Riding Out The Storm and Burning Rome, which give you hard-laden lyrics and rhythmic chorus, which are on point about making a change.
Bringing promise on the Irish stomper Green And Troubled Land is where the chant ‘Faugh A Ballagh’ (clear the way) makes its appearance. Good to use if you are working your way through a crowd!
Striking their final chords with military precision drums, the psychedelic guitar-laden guitars unite on the poignant This Life’
From the time I saw Black Star Riders after their farewell to the Thin Lizzy tour in 2012, I knew this band was something special.
Now celebrating their 10th anniversary together as a band. What do you get for a tenth-anniversary gift? That’s right, Tin! As you may or not know Thin Lizzy derived their name from a ‘Dandy character ‘Tin Lizzy’! And to make the celebrations even more majestic Scott Gorham returns as king of the strings on their UK/Irish Tour dates!
Black Star Riders have maintained the spirit of Thin Lizzy through their new songs, something I like to imagine Phil Lynott would be proud of.
Tracklisting – Wrong Side of Paradise:
1. Wrong Side of Paradise
2. Hustle
3. Better Than Saturday Night
4. Riding Out The Storm
5. Pay Dirt
6. Catch Yourself On
7. Crazy Horses
8. Burning Rome
9. Don’t Let The World
10. Green And Troubled Land
11. This Life Will Be The Death Of Me
12. Cut ‘n’ Run (Bonus Editions Only)
13. Suspicious Times (Bonus Editions Only)
Black Star Riders are:
Ricky Warwick – Vocals/Lead guitar
Christain Martucci – Guitar
Robert Crane – Bass
Zak St John – Drums
www.facebook.com/BlackStarRidersOfficial
www.twitter.com/BlackStarRiders
www.instagram.com/blackstarriders/
- £11.99
