Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
Dan Byrne released his debut solo EP to critical acclaim and with his first full length album he has blown the doors off. This is instantly my favourite album of the year. It is filled with 10 outstanding tracks with not one of those being under an eight out of ten, with three songs that could send this man stratospheric.
I am sure I was not the only one who was gobsmacked when Dan decided to leave Revival Black two weeks after the release of the incredible Under the Light album. Having no chance to see those songs live was a travesty and as Dan did not even know what he was going to do next I felt this was another vocalist set to step out of a band’s limelight and fall flat on his ass. Let’s face it for every Ozzy, Bruce Dickinson or Dave Lee Roth there are hundreds who fell by the wayside. The EP made me stand to attention but this release just slapped me around the head and laughed in my face. I was wrong in the most stupendous fashion.
Enough rambling it is time to give some credence to this musical wonder which lays its gauntlet down at the feet of “Saviour” and wow this is rip roaring Rock at its absolute best. This song is what the word Anthem was invented for. Dan lets loose with what he is known for…those soaring vocals, this is rock embodied.
I sure as shit know what the lyrics of “She’s the Devil” are referring to. The track kicks in with a fuzzy bass riff and then Dan lets loose with a scream and some outstanding vocal athletics. Go through the history books at the classic British Rock vocalists of the past and Dan is up there on the podium with every single one of them.
There are tinges of Inglorious in there as they also produced some incredible songs with another outstanding vocalist. If you like your Rock music I dare you to listen to the first 10 seconds of this track and walk away, there is no chance.
We take it back a bit on “Praise Hell” as we hit on a Bluesy vibe and with those vocal tones this man is perfectly suited to that genre in fact I would pay large sums of money to see him do a Blues tribute just to hear his take on some classics.
On “Sober” we hit on some 80s keyboards as we slow down and sink into a sleazy little bitch of a song. The songwriting is exquisite and no matter what track on this release you pick it appeals to every level of my musical tastes and each and every one of the tracks was made to hear live and each one of them deserves to be played onstage…please do the album in its entirety as this is a place and time that will be remembered for a very long time.
With a title like “Cherry & Leather” you have to worry about Dan’s kinks but this is where we get a three track run of absolute brilliance. Do me a favour when you get this album ensure you have the headphones on for these three songs. Having the riffs fed straight into your brain with no interference is like an adrenaline rush. I also have to ask how did Dan know what cherry and leather tastes like?
We slip over to the piano on “Death of Me” with its smoky intro before we once again have to just sit in awe at the power of Dan’s pipes. I swear you can get lost with these vocal acrobatics but as for the song when it breaks downit is outstanding. This is a song that modern Rock bands are just not writing.
“Temple” starts like what could be an Adele track. It borders that Pop/Rock threshold precariously but to put this into perspective as to how amazing this song is back in the 80s Rock/Metal bands were searching for a sound that could burst free of the Rock world and take over the world. David Coverdale cleared house with his outstanding Blues band and made a play for super stardom in America and just Like Def Leppard he done it. “Temple” is a song of the same calibre, This could break Dan right across the world. I can even envision compilations of hundreds of music influencers online rating this track. I cannot praise this song enough.
The guitar work at the kick off on “Pulling Me Under” is stellar as is the drums, a fierce battleground built by Glenn Quinn and Max Rhead. This is British Rock at its zenith.
“Hate Me” comes at you like you would expect with a title like that. Dan is spitting his vocals at you, me and whoever had this song written about them. The band encapsulate the emotion and drive that hate brings. All that negativity is wrapped up in dripping venom and a stunning song.
From the negativity we soar to new heights as the upbeat “Home” starts and I could not get 30 seconds to Mars out of my head. This song may finish of the album but it takes you to heaven. Each beat, every chord and every word lifts you up, it soars and takes you to new heights. An incredible way to close out a statement to the Rock world.
There is no denying Dan has left Revival Black behind and stands here on the precipice of greatness and he has done it on his own two feet, with his own vision. I have never read a more apt title than this albums. I can see the road in front of Dan Byrne and it is long and winding but I truly have no idea where the summit may be as the quality of this debut album can only be an indication of just how far he can go.
Tracklisting:
1. Saviour
2. She’s The Devil
3. Praise Hell
4. Sober
5. Cherry & Leather
6. Death Of Me
7. Temple
8. Pulling Me Under
9. Hate Me
10. Home
pre-order the album here: https://ffm.bio/thisiswheretheshowbegins
Dan Byrne online:
https://www.danbyrne.co
https://www.instagram.com/danbyrne__
https://www.facebook.com/danbyrneofficial
