American metallers BRIAR ROSE have launched a campaign to raise funds for their next album, which will be titled “Enchiridion”. Creator and vocalist Randy Blake explains:
“This is Randy Blake II from Briar Rose. We are looking to generate the funds needed to record, mix, and fully manufacture our next album including vinyl, CD and digital formats in Kent, England with Grammy nominated producer Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Helloween, Anvil etc.). This would be our third album under his guidance and there is nobody more suited to our Traditional Metal Style than Chris. There is an incredible level of professionalism that is shared between us and the proof is in the recording. He is the best in the world at what he does, we need not go elsewhere. We hope you’ll be a part of our next album!!”
Legendary Massachusetts traditional metal masters BRIAR ROSE have launched a Kickstarter campaign for their next album to be recorded with Grammy nominated producer Chris Tsangarides this coming Fall in Kent, England. The as yet to be titled album will be the band’s third album with the producer who is known for his work with THIN LIZZY, JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH, ANVIL, HELLOWEEN and even TOM JONES to name but a few!!
Founding member and vocalist RANDY BLAKE II elaborates: “We are extremely excited to launch our initial Kickstarter campaign and we think we’ve got some great items! Everything from CDs, signed items, rare items, one of a kind items, things you can only get from the Kickstarter campaign, you can even have BRIAR ROSE play at your house in one of the items!!
The new album is going to be bigger and better than anything we have ever done and I seriously mean it!! It would be AWESOME if you could be a part of it!!”
Artist: Briar Rose
Album: Dark Lord
Label: Roaar Records
Year: 26th June 2012
Track Listing
1. Screwdriver
2. Egowhore
3. Black Carousel
4. You Can Not Kill What Will Not Die
5. The Illusion Dwellers
6. My Girlfriend Is A Witch
7. Blackdiamond Alley
8. Eyes Of Wonder
9. The Portrait Of Carlotta
10. Tick Tock
11. The Goblin Heart
12. Three Little Fishies
BRIAR ROSE:
Formed: 1988 for nearly 25 years, BRIAR ROSE has blasted it’s brand of Traditional Heavy Metal from their home in Massachusetts to all corners of the world. With a brace of albums and tours the band continues to please and excite their ever growing, fiercely loyal fanbase. Most recently with it’s newest release “Dark Lord”, produced once again by The Dark Lord himself Chris Tsangarides (Anvil, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest) who also produced their previous album “Roses Are Rare, Violence Is True“. The twelve tracks included on the album were recorded at Tsangarides’ Ecology Room studio in Kent, England where he also joined the band on guitar during the recordings. Tracks from the album have been given plenty of airplay worldwide. “Egowhore“, “The Portrait Of Carlotta“, “Black Carousel” and “My Girlfriend Is A Witch” among others are quickly becoming favourites of the fan base as well as the friends the band are welcoming daily. As the band enters into its 25th year of uncompromising, unforgiving metal in 2013, plans are underway for the next album as well as many more shows and events for there fans everywhere. Never giving in to trends and false genres, BRIAR ROSE remains dedicated to bringing you high-energy traditional metal as only they can; Metal…Deal with it.
The first track on the album is Screwdriver it starts off with a low hum then the song kicks in with a quality riff and the vocals come with it. The song reminds me of stuff that was produced in the eighties and it is great to hear to bring that style through again it has some really good solos the vocals are good as well a great start to the album. The second and third songs on the album is Egowhore and Black Carousel the song Egowhore is very punchy, it got my head nodding right from the start it is a really good song one of my favourites on the album. It has some catchy riffs, quality solos and the vocals are done to perfection I could listen to this all day. Black Carousel, I like the touch of the cymbals to start the song and again the song has a real grit to it right through the song, the riffs are to die for hitting the right spot all the time and the solos are again spot on. The vocals on this are sent out with purpose making sure that you take notice and I sure did quality. The fourth and fifth songs are You Can Not Kill What Will Not Die and The Illusion Dwellers both of these songs are done to a very high standard from the vocals to the bass and the drums. They both have some really great riffs and solo’s especially near the end of The Illusion Dwellers is a stunning solo to end the song. The drums and the bass keep the beat perfectly and the vocals are second to none.
The sixth song is My Girlfriend Is A Witch this is one of the faster songs but it also one of the shortest songs on the album but it still packs a punch with some quality fast paced riffs and solos that will get your head banging. The seventh song is Blackdiamond Alley in, which starts with a blue’s sound style bass riff with the guitar following alongside it the song goes really well on the album. It has a real cool riff that continues through the song it then picks up pace with a cracking solo halfway through the song in which I pick up my air guitar and give it some riffage myself cause it is that damn good top quality. The eight and ninth songs on the album are Eyes Of Wonder and The Portrait Of Carlotta the eighth song Eyes Of Wonder again the style changes. It has a more Gothic sound to it including the vocals, which just shows how versatile the band is and it is great to hear. Again the song has some real good riffs and solos in. The Portrait Of Carlotta starts off with a very Iron Maiden style intro which goes really well with the song but it is no way a Maiden style song in the way it continues. After the intro it gets heavier and the vocals are a bit deeper then a bit further into the song you have some narrative speech then the vocals and guitars come in again it is a good solid song. The tenth song on the album is Tick Tock starts off with a good solid bass line then you get a galloping guitar riff alongside it then the vocals come in with purpose. The tempo halfway through the song picks up bit but keeping the same intensity then comes in a top quality solo. Near the end you had a good bass line to end the song. The eleventh song on the album is The Goblin Heart is the longest song on the album at 9:53 it starts off with a good solid slow riff then it fades out and the drums kick in and also the vocals they are soft and it tells a good story. Then a heavy guitar riff comes in with the vocals and the tempo slowly rises and this gets my head nodding in appreciation then when I was getting into it the tempo drops instantly then the bass comes in with the vocals slowly then the tempo rises again slowly. But with a cracking riff alongside the vocals the song finishes with a high quality riff and solo. The song tells a great story well worth all of the 9:53 that the song is in length. The twelfth and final song on the album is Three Little Fishies it also is the shortest song on the album at 0:49 seconds but it is a fast paced song just perfect to end the album.
Overall
This album is a stunning piece of work if you have not heard of these guys you should have along with all the albums that I have reviewed over the last eight months or so I have really enjoyed how this has been put together. I could hear so many different styles and bands in these songs it just was a breath of fresh air hitting me in every song. A true heavy rock n roll album that will get your juices flowing and your headbanging non-stop! If you want an album to rock out to this is the one it is top quality full of great vocals, drums, bass lines, riffs and solo’s.
9/10
Band Members
Vocals: Randy Blake II Drums: Jay Vanderpool Bass: Chris Landoch Keyboards: Joe McDonald Guitar: Jeff Tundis
