Review by Gary Spiller for MPM
Identified by Classic Rock as “One to watch in 2024” highly acclaimed Liverpudlian vocalist Dan Byrne returns to a deserved spotlight with the forthcoming release of his latest single ‘Like Animals’, a live favourite since last summer, from last year’s most aptly entitled debut EP ‘Beginnings’. Coupled with a set of dates this means March is set to be a great way to kick-start 2024 for fans, like myself, of this one-time Revival Black frontman.
It’s an incredible five years since RB released their stellar debut long-player ‘Step In Line’ and, in fact, nearing two years since Dan parted ways with his one-time bandmates just a week after the release of the follow-up ‘Under The Light’. Those challenging times are firmly behind this most humble of individuals who reflected “Yeah, there were a few raised. The plain fact was, the idea of doing my own thing, fully realising my musical ideas – whatever they were – and taking full responsibility for them became absolute… I just had to be honest with everyone even if the timing looked odd from the outside.”
Bloodthirsty, snarling, and downright feral ‘Like Animals’ – produced by David Radahd-Jones (Death Bloom, The Fallen State, Amongst Liars, Heaven’s Basement, and Black Stone Cherry’s Chris Robertson) at his Red City Recordings in Manchester – sinks its incisors into the inner soul with its introductory buzzsawing riffs that pay a heraldic prelude to Byrne silken vocals simmering “Baby throw away the keys and let us both unwind.” Be prepared to have goosebumps upon goosebumps!
Self-penned, like the entirety of the ‘Beginnings’ EP, ‘Like Animals’ growls and tears at the fabric throughout, loaded to the brim with infectious hooks and that oh-so distinctively delicious vocals that can only be Byrne; a talent purportedly ‘discovered’ at a Planet Rock after show karaoke session. This track snaps at the heels and gently caresses in turn, bloodletting rage then the most romantic of lovers in the flicker of an all-seeing eye. This is the very charm of Byrne and his emotive musical output; it’s a pure delight to witness the expansive nature as time progresses and the past slips out of sight.
In support of this release Byrne will be heading out for a trio of headline shows with a stellar lineup alongside of him comprising of guitarists Myke Gray and Glenn Quinn, bassist Colin Parkinson (Inglorious) and drummer Max Rhead (Kira Mac, Tribeless). Through the course of April Dan will be supporting Oli Brown & The Dead Collective before hitting Steelhouse, headlining SOS Festival and appearing at Chepstow Castle with Kris Barras.
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