Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
The duo we never knew we needed are back with album number two and it kicks off right where the incredible debut finished.
Black Light / White Noise is a classic Rock masterpiece infused with sublime guitar work which is only to be expected from these two guitar gods.
Opening track “Muddy Water” has that Maiden epic opener feel before slipping into a Mr Big boogie. The production is huge, the riffs even bigger and a swagger to kick the doors in. The guitars scream Hendrix and the bottom end is brutal.
From muddy waters to muddy guitars on “White Noise”. This song holds that ZZ Top deflated tyres running through a swamp sound and the back and forth vocals from the boys add to the Southern banjo duel feel.
Tell me there is a “Black Light” out there that is described in this song, it would have saved me a lot of trouble and saved me a hell of a lot of money. This track is as catchy as hell and kicks like a mule. An instant winner.
We go full on John Mellancamp on “Darkside” and I love it. This is another song steeped in the South. Think Skynyrd, Free and Purple. This is as classic as they come and the song is well placed amongst those bands.
We get a guitar driven anthemic intro on “Life Unchained”. Think 80s movies but that is to lull you into a sense of peace before it kicks in and smashes the tranquility. This is a full on blistering Rock track with a rip your face off beat with a punk feel.
“Blindsided” is an up tempo beast of a track that harkens back to Appetite era GnR. It is dirty, it drags you through the gutters and it rocks your ass off.
“Wraith” is a mix of Screaming a Vengeance Priest and Somewhere in Time Maiden. What is not to love in a mash up between those two and this instantly become my favourite track.
The South kicks in again on “Heavy Weather” and this song certainly brings the storm. The native American drumbeat sets the verse perfectly and as the song picks up the vocals soar. This is a track to be sat in front of a fire with beer in hand and surrounded by friends.
“Outlaw” slows things down and throws some very melodic rock at us and the bass work is fantastic…Adrian sure knows how to pick them. A solid number.
Final track “Beyond the Pale” is the longest track at over seven minutes( still a good bit shorter than Adrian is used too) but the length gives the boys room to grow, room to breathe and room to create. I got a real Thin Lizzy vibe on this slower number.
This is a beautiful number and as close to a ballad as the album gets. The song gets into your soul and leaves you aching for more, especially with the guitar work, just stunning.
Black Light / White Noise is another notch in these lads already unbelievable offerings. It is atmospheric, it is intricate and the songwriting is unsurpassed. This is two amazing guitarists, vocalists and songwriters at the top of their game and roll on another UK tour soon as these tracks were made for the stage.
