THIN LIZZY alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) and new addition JimmyDeGrasso on drums (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, DAVID LEE ROTH) are now known as BLACK STAR RIDERS, have finished recording their debut album with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH) in Malibu, CA.
Warwick talks about the on-going mixing process below stating it sounds great; “the drums are huge, the guitars rip, the bass is pounding and the vocals are great.”
Some new song titles include: ‘Valley Of The Stones’, ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’, ‘Someday Salvation’, Bound for Glory’, ‘Kingdom of the Lost’ and Hoodoo Voodoo’. The album will be released at the end of May via Nuclear Blast.
Check out the BSR’s YouTube page for a number of studio reports.
For more details visit BLACK STAR RIDERS on Facebook.
BLACK STAR RIDERS, the new band formed by THIN LIZZY alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) with new addition Jimmy DeGrasso (ALICE COOPER, MEGADETH, DAVID LEE ROTH, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) on drums, will enter a Los Angeles studio tomorrow (Monday, January 7) with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, RUSH) to begin recording its debut album for a May release via Nuclear Blast.
Commented the band: “Two years ago today THIN LIZZY‘s reformed lineup played their first show in Aberdeen. Today BLACK STAR RIDERS loaded into the studio in preparation for tomorrow’s start to the recording sessions with Kevin Shirley. The rehearsals went very well and the songs are ready. Time to make it happen!”
In October 2012, THIN LIZZY announced that they would not be recording new material under the THIN LIZZY monicker. The last incarnation of the band — Gorham, Brian Downey, Wharton, Warwick, Johnson and Mendoza — would be looking to form a new project.
According to a press release, Brian Downey decided to not become involved with BLACK STAR RIDERS because he didn’t want to commit to the touring cycle a new album would entail and Darren Wharton wanted to concentrate on DARE and other music and film projects.
The BLACK STAR RIDERS album will feature material the band wrote while touring as THIN LIZZY and the sound retains that classic feel but is very much its own as well. The BLACK STAR RIDERS record is the next step in the evolution of the THIN LIZZY story.
“We are all very excited about the music that we have created for BLACK STAR RIDERS. The synergy between the five of us has been phenomenal and I can’t wait for the world to hear these songs,” says Warwick.
BLACK STAR RIDERS was signed to Nuclear Blast by Monte Conner — the former Roadrunner A&R guru who has worked with such acts as SLIPKNOT, MACHINE HEAD, SEPULTURA and RUSH. Conner recently joined Nuclear Blast as the president of Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a new U.S. partnership he co-founded with Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger.
Artist: Black Country Communion Album: Afterglow Label: Mascot Music Year: 2012 Country: UK/USA
Tracklist:
1. Big Train
2. This Is Your Time
3. Midnight Sun
4. Confessor
5. Cry Freedom
6. Afterglow
7. Dandelion
8. The Circle
9. Common Man
10. The Giver
11. Crawl
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION are back with their third album “Afterglow” which will be released tomorrow, Monday 29th October, via Mascot Records.
The band comprises of vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), keyboard player Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER,YNGWIE MALMSTEEN,BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa.
The album was written within 6 months and recorded in Westlake Village, outside Hollywood, USA during 5 productive days. As Glenn explains: “I wanted this album to have more acoustic moments than the previous two. I wanted to hear more of Derek and I wanted the more angelic voice of Glenn as well as the more aggressive one which there is on songs like “Crawl” and “Midnight Sun”. Above all I wanted more drama.”
As with the two previous albums, “Afterglow” was overseen by producer Kevin Shirley who has a catalogue of hit records by bands such as IRON MAIDEN, AEROSMITH, LED ZEPPELIN and EUROPE. It was his idea to put Hughes and Bonamassa together after seeing them jamming onstage together in 2009 and is the groups “unofficial” fifth member.
The album begins with Big Train which I wasn’t too sure of at first, but after several listens it really grew on me with its catchy melodies and the great vocal range demonstrated by Glenn, backed up by the brilliant drumming of Jason. The next track This Is Your Time grabs me immediately with the deep grooves of Joe’s guitar intro, which keep up the pace throughout the song, a perfect combination with Glenn’s vocals and the great music written by Jason. Midnight Sun comes crashing into my ears next, the pace really picks up and Glenn’s vocals are top notch, he’s not called “The Voice Of Rock” for nothing! For me, the song evokes sounds of Deep Purple and there is a brilliant guitar solo by Joe, he can make it sing! Confessor is another fast paced track with excellent turbo charged drumming. I love the melodic sounds of the chorus and the Hammond organ sounding solo by Derek.
Cry Freedom has shared vocals between Glenn and Joe. Glenn feels that he and Joe sing well together and I agree: Joe’s more laid back style perfectly compliments Glenn’s raw edged sound. The title track Afterglow is long at 6:06 (but not the longest track) and has a quiet intro, but full of atmosphere. The song then builds into that familiar Black Country Communion sound and Glenn’s powerful voice kicks in. Plenty more melodic guitars here to keep fans happy. Dandelion is another slow paced song to start with and picks up soon enough, as with all these songs the whole sound is polished but also with a rawness that keeps it rocking. The Circle slows the pace and has a dream like quality to it, a very relaxing vibe, more great vocals. This track really demonstrates the power and depth to Glenn’s voice and is one of his favourite tracks. Common Man has that classic ’70’s sound, ‘groovy’ is the main way to describe the guitar and bass line and again that Hammond organ sound adding more texture and feeling. This song really sounds to me like the band are having an awesome jamming session together in the studio and is one of my favourites. Again more classic sounds on The Giver then to the last song Crawl: I love the sound here, Glenn’s rasping edgy vocals and a huge sound. There is yet another great guitar solo and awesome powerhouse drumming, another favourite for me. I’m very happy the band saved this track from “BCC2” to use on Afterglow, a great aggressive song to finish on.
EUROPE, Sweden’s biggest rock band, confirm their next studio album, slated for April 2012 release, will be produced by the world’s hottest rock record producer, Kevin Shirley.
No stranger to the crème de la crème of iconic rock records, Shirley’s produced albums for Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, Black Stone Cherry and Journey.
“We still feel we have one hell of a rock record to make” says Europe’s singer Joey Tempest. “Kevin’s the man for the job. We love his work with Bonamassa, Black Country Communion, and Black Stone Cherry. He’s the real deal. We’re ready to do some serious damage.”
Last week Europe met up with Shirley in Stockholm to discuss the direction of the next album. Based on reactions from the fans and media, Europe’s 2009 album ‘Last Look at Eden’ proved to be the band’s most important record since ‘The Final Countdown’. “I’ve been a big fan of Europe’s work for many years,” says Shirley. “The band is influential and highly underrated. I can’t wait to make the upcoming album their most explosive to date.”
After summer 2011, Europe will finish the promotion of Last Look at Eden tour, and will start to focus their energy on the next album produced by Shirley. “We’ve toured for one and a half years” adds Tempest. “It’s time to write and record some new songs and get back on the road again in 2012.”
The new material suggests a more straight forward rock approach evident in ‘Doghouse’ – a new song Europe performed on their recent UK tour. The song is also featured on Europe’s upcoming ‘Europe: Live at Shepherd’s Bush’ DVD, released August 2011 on earMUSIC CDs and DVDs.
earMUSIC is also about to release a limited deluxe book with pictures be Denis O’Regan. “Live Look At Eden” features exclusive live audio and the stunning performance at last year iTunes Festival in London. Recording for Europe’s new album begins in Stockholm on October 3rd, for an April 2012 release.
exclusive photo of Europe with Kevin Shirley recently taken in Stockholm
Artist: Black Country Communion
