Review by Lydia B Evans for MPM
Steve Riley Remembered by Rocking Heavy on new album “The Dark Horse”
After success with “Renegades” in 2020, Riley’s LA Guns rocks heavy with their second album “The Dark Horse”.
The highly anticipated album was released on 22nd January – what would’ve been drummer Steve Riley’s 68th birthday – under Golden Robot Records.
Tragically, drummer Steve Riley passed away on 24th October 2023 at age 67 after being ill with pneumonia for several weeks. Riley was known for his work in Keel, W.A.S.P, and the classic lineup of LA Guns.
In 2019, Steve Riley formed his version of LA Guns with original bassist Kelly Nickels, as well as vocalist/guitarist Kurt Frohlich and lead guitarist Scott Griffin.
The band released the album “Renegades” in 2020, and “The Dark Horse” is their next album now under the name Riley’s LA Guns.
The album opens with “Overdrive”, throwing us into “The Dark Horse” with a catchy riff. The track – and album itself – has a heaviness akin with classic LA Guns work, but has a uniqueness with the Riley’s LA Guns lineup that feels like something new.
The second track, “Rewind”, shows off Kurt Frohlich’s vocal ability and Kelly Nickels’ distinctive bass riffs. The title track, “The Dark Horse”, has retro-sounding guitars and a powerful solo by Scott Griffin.
Through listening to the rhythm section, you can tell Riley and Nickels are a pair who have worked together for many years.
Combined with the talents of Frohlich and Griffin, we have a group that works. “Somebody Save Me” is one of my favourite tracks. With darker lyrics and a booming chorus of “I’m not blind but I can’t see, show me the way / somebody save me”, I think this song encapsulates the vibe of the album.
It’s heavy and a bit dark lyrically, yet still fun to listen to. The next track, “Sweet Summer Girl (Florida)”, is another personal favourite. It changes up the vibe to melancholic with a ballad.
This song showcases Frohlich’s vocals, versatile guitar work, and the band’s ability to switch up to a softer rock song.
“The Truth” opens with Nickels’ bass, taking us right back into the heavy stuff. The booming chorus of “Are you ready? / are you ready for the truth?” is powerful and demanding.
We’re brought to the acoustics with “Changing Lights”, another slower song. It features radio-eque
vocals, a bluesy guitar solo and a steady rhythm section.
“It’s The World” really shows off the band’s enthusiasm. It comes in heavy with the drums and shredding guitars. As I listen, I can hear Steve Riley’s passion from behind the drum kit.
The song features powerful lyrics, “They’ll never get their dirty hands on me / I’m breaking free”. “Down Day Drag” is another dynamic track with strong percussion and heavy guitars.
But last of all, the final track “While I’m Away” switches to a bluesy vibe. It’s catchy and a solid song to end
the album with. The guitars have a swagger about them, while the keyboards bring the old-school blues rock sound.
This album is a fun one to listen to. You can tell there’s emotion poured into the songs, and I could feel it as I listened. It takes you through a journey of nostalgia, love, and power through both the lyrics and instrumentals.
Kelly Nickels wrote on Instagram of Steve Riley’s passing, “He’s an American classic rock n roll drummer from Boston that rocked the world and spent a lifetime banging those drums and he will be greatly missed”.
Nickels also wrote on Instagram that Riley was “proud of Riley’s LA Guns and the work we did, we did together”. The band members were evidently close and cared about their work – Riley will be missed by many.
With Riley’s passing, fans may wonder what the future of Riley’s LA Guns will be. Bassist Kelly Nickels is the only band member now from the “classic” 80s LA Guns lineup, but Riley’s legacy will live on.
The band has tour dates in the United States coming up including Colorado, Michigan, and the legendary M3 Rock Festival in Maryland in May. “The Dark Horse” is an album that will remember Riley’s talent and passion on the drums and for keeping his part of the band alive
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