Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
Ricky Warwick returns with solo album number 10, hot on the heels of critically acclaimed “Blood Ties” and as usual you never know what to expect.
Ricky is an honourary son of Scotland and I have followed his path since the 90s. Almost every week you would find him in the halls of Barrowland or some of the smaller, sweatier venues and bars with sticky carpets and metalheads.
It all started with The Almighty who are gratefully back and we get to see him under the Barras stars once again but his journey has been long and varied but somehow the solo releases are more personal. You know what you get with an Almighty release, the same with Black Star Riders and back to those Thin Lizzy days you knew the exact structure you would get but with a solo album you have no idea what this talented man will bring forth and this album proves this point as it bounces around all number of genres.
The album opens with the title track and it beckons in Ricky’s defiant energy with a touch of his Irish swagger and there is no doubt a certain Mr Lynott is not far from his thoughts here.
The energy changes on “Hellbent & Heaven Sent” as Ricky slips into his Punk Roots. The profanities spout forth and you can almost feel the spit flying. It is fast, furious and a whole shit ton of fun.
Latest single ” Seek Zen Destroy” is next up and this one has a quirky riff which Phil Collen may have assisted with along with some cracking backing vocals. This track harks back to mainstream 80s with a really heavy backbone.
Another switch up on “When the King Falls” as the acoustic makes an appearance and anyone who has heard a Ricky track with an acoustic knows you are in for something very special. This laidback, lazy number is drenched in the South and those 70s hippies would be loving this.
“You Just Lie” is probably something we all relate to with its message but the track itself will take a bit of getting used to. It left me a bit on edge as its guitar work comes at you from differing angles and the shifts throughout the song struggle to work.
For those that do not know what “The Angels’ Share” actually is, let me pass on some Scottish wisdom. It is what Whisky distillers call the alcohol that evaporates in the barrel. It is classed as an offering to the heavens…It is also a very funny movie based in Scotland.
Is the song an offering to the heavens? I would have to say yes, it was the song I kept going back to. Simple, catchy and just Ricky at his best.
The song “Last Chance to Dance” got me thinking as Ricky says this one is about knowing the clock is ticking and chosing to turn the music up rather than walking away quietly. It is also about second chances and both of those statements are very apt for Ricky.
He virtually walked away quietly from the music business and had he not taken that second chance just think of everything we would have missed. All the shows, all the amazing music and lets face it, Rock’n’Roll needs noisy motherfuckers.
“Sweet County Down” does what it says on the tin. This is Country, this is folk and this is Ricky right at home. They say everyone wants to be Irish (except the Scots) and Ricky lives, breathes and writes for that sacred isle.
We get another left turn on “Tumbleweed Town” and knowing the weather in Ireland the only Tumbleweed he encounters is in his adopted home these days. This to me feels like a homage to the old country and western movies I grew up on and as Ricky is the same age as me I am sure he sat with his parents watching the old black and white movies.
This song has a strut as powerful as John Wayne and kicks ass like Clint Eastwood.
The final track of “If You Think Your Country Needs You…” is also the best. This is full of atmosphere and angst. This is a revolutionary who knows they cannot win. A scream for reason in the face of broken diplomacy and a world you no longer align with. The message in this track is incredibly powerful.
There is a bonus track in “Never in Doubt” and it is time to get your yehaw on. I am not sure if this is a song or a ditty. This is Ricky having fun and for that reason you cannot do otherwise.
Ricky Warwick could once again walk away and he could look back and be proud of his legacy but this man does not understand the words slow down and long may that continue. “Fire & Vengance encapsulates Ricky to a tee and once again he has come up with the goods.
pre-order here.
For tickets and more details please head to https://www.rickywarwick.com/
IN-STORE TOUR – SEPTEMBER 2026
Sun 6 Sept Crash – Leeds (SOLD OUT)
Mon 7 Sept Jacaranda Baltic – Liverpool
Tue 8 Sept Assai – Glasgow
Tue 8 Sept Assai – Edinburgh
Wed 9 Sept Beyond Vinyl – Newcastle
Thurs 10 Sept Rough Trade – Nottingham
Fri 11 Sept Rough Trade – Denmark Street
Sat 12 Sept Bacchus – Kingston
Sun 13 Sept Vinilo – Southampton
FIRE & VENGEANCE TOUR – NOVEMBER 2026
Thu 5 Nov Limerick – Dolans
Fri 6 Nov Dublin – Grand Social
Sun 8 Nov Belfast – Limelight 2
Tue 10 Nov Edinburgh – La Belle Angele
Wed 11 Nov Wolverhampton – KK’s Steel Mill
Thu 12 Nov Nottingham – Rescue Rooms
Fri 13 Nov Manchester – Gorilla
Sat 14 Nov Newcastle – Anarchy Brew
Wed 18 Nov Southend – Chinnerys
Thu 19 Nov London – 100 Club
Fri 20 Nov Norwich – Waterfront
Sat 21 Nov Cambridge – Mash
Sun 22 Nov Bristol – Thekla
Wed 25 Nov Portsmouth – Kola
Thu 26 Nov Trecco Bay – Planet Rockstock
