THE ROCK'n'ROLL CIRCUS RADIO SHOW

Heavy Train Album Review

Black Whiskey are a four piece rock band from Surrey, England, UK. Black Whiskey is a serious melting pot of talent as each member of the band has been involved in one genre of rock or another over the years, from NWOBHM, Thrash, Blues, Alt and Prog. When founding member, Simon Gordon (Vocals - ex, Xentrix, Hellfighter), Kev Ingles (Guitar - ex, 3 State Blues, Swampstake), Mark T. Parkin (Bass - ex, Prezence, Stargazer) and Rich Bannister (Drums - ex, Nakedium) came together to form Black Whiskey, the common ground was classic rock. The band have taken their inspiration from the classic sounds that they grew up with during the 70's and 80's rock era. With the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Free, UFO and Rainbow, this debut album, Heavy Train, will be an interesting listen as the band bring a modern sound to the classic rock style. Black Whiskey have recently signed to Rocksector Records to bring us this debut album so let's get this train rollin' and see if their credo is true, "The more things change, the more they stay the same".

Idol Rich - As the drums and guitar hooks come at you with an energetic bounce, the vocals break in and you'd think you'd been teleported straight back to a gig in the hey days of classic rock!. This has an awesome energy of pure feel good rock that will put a smile on anyone's face and get them up having a good time. The bass lines are superb and the guitar hooks are catchy as hell!. The build up to the bridge unleashing the guitar into a full on riff shredding solo that'll blow the cobwebs away big time!.

All Seeing Eye - The intro to this reminds me of Kiss's, Love Gun, in tone but then goes into its own as the galloping bass lines and distorted power chords roll along with the awesome drum work and cymbal fills. This is a classic swaggering rock track that just hits the spot and brings an attitude to the mix. The military style drums, bass lines and guitar harmonics at the bridge quietening the track before unleashing itself into a fired up guitar solo that'll keep any budding air guitarist happy.

The Devil Rides - There is a wickedly addictive bluesy guitar hook running through this track and if this doesn't get you up rocking then you need to go and buy some chart music and stop calling yourself a rocker!. This has an immensely addictive quality to its beat and the whole collective sound just makes you want to get up, mosh and stomp about. The vocal harmonies running alongside the guitar at the bridge seriously gets you feeling good as you know the guitar solo is about to come screaming at you and once again, the bass lines are just sublime throughout.

Stone Cold Comfort - This track opens with determined swaggering bass licks, backed by the drums and cymbals as the guitar comes wailing in to fire up this track before relenting to let the reflective vocals narrate. The chugging bass line is perfection throughout this track as its dominance shines through. This track waxes and wanes between quiet reflection and a groovy stomp around with its attitude in places. The track once again rising to a crescendo at the bridge with a guitar solo that just makes the hairs stand up with its eminence.

Hungry For Bullets - The wah laden, distorted guitar "chats away" as the tom toms thunder in behind to unleash this track into a groovy stomp around that'll get everyone hooked. With its tones of seduction, it struts and strolls around with its tom tom rolls and wah guitar medleys to charm the senses and give that dirty rock and roll edge.

Save My Life - The guitar riff instantly fires up the senses as the drums and bass hooks bring a rolling bounce to the tempo. A classic cruising blues tone to this track that just gets you instantly foot tapping and nodding along. This has a quality all of its own that just blows you away, especially the wailing guitar solo at the bridge.

The Coming Storm - This is an easy going bluesy rock track akin to Gary Moore in tone yet has an Audioslave quality to it too. A groovy track that rolls along in its reflection before it builds at the chorus's and unleashes its guitar medleys. The track rises at the bridge with its electro acoustic rhythm guitar, wicked bass licks and drums to let the lead guitar take charge with its sublime solo to seal this glorious track.

Heavy Train - A wickedly groovy track that thunders along like a freight train with its rock blues tone. The bounce in the bass lines bring a feel good edge to the track as does the sublime guitar lick as it descends down the fretboard. Another awesome wah guitar solo at the bridge ignites this funky track as it rolls along to get everyone's party going.

Tie It Down - You cannot help but want to strut around to this track. This is stomping territory with its feel good funky tones and grinding power chords. With a bounce and swagger in the tempo this just has a serious feel good factor about it that will get everyone involved.

Can't Kill The Fire - A pure rock and roll track that instantly comes at you with a feel good party vibe to get anyone up enjoying themselves. A bounce in the rhythm section and grinding guitars ignite this track as it takes off into an awesome guitar solo at the bridge. I'm sure this track played live will get everyone joining in with the addictive chorus lines.

Black Whiskey brought us their debut album "Heavy Train" and I have to say it's one of the best I've ever heard!. This album is just pure enjoyment and although there are traits of classic rock running though it, this album feels so refreshing in it's energy and vibe. Feel good rock and roll seemed to fall to the wayside as the newer genres have taken hold but you cannot fault old school rock and an album of this calibre should seriously be in your collection. For a debut album, the quality of the songwriting, instrument playing and tightness just screams perfection and professionalism. You can seriously hear the influences of the classic rock bands yet you just can't put your finger on where you've heard certain parts and that's where I take my hat off to Black Whiskey. This is old school rock with a refreshing retake on it that Black Whiskey have purely made their own. This album needs to be in your collection!.