Ghost Cult’s Keefy caught up with Ricky Warwick of Black Star Riders to discuss their new album, “Wrong Side of Paradise” – out now via Earache Records. Ricky chatted about the new album, signing to Earache, a track-by-track rundown of all the songs on the new album, his past with Thin Lizzy, and maybe a future for his first band The Almighty!
The new Black Star Riders album Wrong Side of Paradise signals the end of one era and the start of a new one. After eight years with Nuclear Blast this, their fifth record, is their first with Earache Records, their first without co-founding guitarist Scott Gorham, and their first as a quartet.
The opening strains of Ballad of a Misspent Youth (MRG Records) by Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts reminds me of old KISS. It’s the sound of the guitars. There is a bit of The Black Crowes thrown in for good measure. It’s hard driving and pop-ish with a punk tinge. The guitars are simple yet sonically pleasing. The album continues this stylistic choice with savage awesomeness. Be prepared, Ballad of a Misspent Youth is solid from start to finish with plenty of songs that will get stuck on constant rotation.
Canadian quartet Monster Truck have returned with new album Warriors (BMG). This is their fourth record and the title track kicks things off in fine fashion – it is a bouncy number with retro, eighties-era Iron Maiden guitar harmonies provided by guest axeman Dave Baksh of Sum 41 fame. This track sticks to Truckers tried and tested formula, fuzz drenched southern rock with chunky riffs, catchy choruses and chant along backing vocals that do not outstay their welcome.
This recipe served them well on 2018 predecessor True Rocker and the same is true here, as the propulsive, no nonsense boogie of ‘Golden Women’ shows. Perhaps the best taster of this is ‘Fuzz Mountain’, a Black Sabbath inspired chugger which is helped along by the insistent background hum of keys.
Metallica has shared yet another pro-shot video of the band performing in concert from their current European headline tour! Watch them play their cover of Thin Lizzy classic “Whiskey In The Jar” live, and some other recent pro-shot live videos from their recent tours!
Night Demon did us a solid by putting together a compilation of all the out-of-print 2020 singles into one scorching album, Year of the Demon (Century Media Records). A huge, “Thank You!” to Jarvis Leatherby, Dusty Squires, and Armand John Anthony; “Y’all got our backs and we grateful!” If you were one of the legions of Night Demon fans that missed out on one or more of the 7” singles in coloured vinyl format, then go forth and buy this compilation album. If you’ve no bloody idea who Night Demon are and why this is awesome sauce, go forth and buy this compilation album. If you just like wicked heavy metal, go forth and buy this compilation album. Should you buy this compilation album? Yes, yes you bloody well should go forth and buy this compilation album.
The Glacially Musical Pouredcast is a weekly Podcast that has three principles: Beer, Metal, and Swearing (and also vinyl)! Hosted by Nik Cameron – grown out of the Glacially Musical blog is all about great music and vinyl collecting. Once per week Ghost Cult’s Chief Ghost Cult Keefy joins Nik to discusses great bands and great era’s of bands. Nik and Keefy share the first episode in our new series exploring the music of Thin Lizzy, starting with their early years and a deep dive into their album Nightlife!
Metallica has shared a video of the band performing the Thin Lizzy classic “Whiskey In The Jar” in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The performance was originally part of their Worldwired World Tour at Slane Castle in Meath, Ireland, on June 8, 2019. The video was originally seen as part of Metallica’s pandemic-era live concert streaming series Metallica Mondays. For Metallica, it is their most-popular cover ever, with a charting single in 1999 and a music video that was played on MTV. Thin Lizzy is Ireland’s greatest band and their interpretation of “Whiskey In The Jar” – a classic Irish folk song is one of theory best known songs.
Ten years and two albums on from their farewell tour the Scorpions are still going, sharing a similar confusion about farewell tours as KISS, Motley Crue and Status Quo. The second of those post retirement albums is Rock Believer (Spinefarm Records), the German rockers 19th offering of big riffed, anthemic Classic Rock.
Mick Rock a.k.a. ’The Man Who Shot The 70s’ who created some of the most iconic shots of bands in music history, has died. He was 73. The news was broken by his family on social media. No cause of the death has been announced. In addition to a stint as David Bowie’s personal photographer, the native of Great Britain show iconic rock music acts such as Queen, T. Rex, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Thin Lizzy, Geordie, Mötley Crüe, and Blondie. We send our sympathy out to his friends and family at this time. Read their statement about Mick’s passing and lifeswork below.