The Dead Daisies – Radiance Review

Label: The Dead Daisies Pty Ltd

Genre: Hard Rock

Release Date EU: September 30th, 2022

Line Up:

Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple/Black Country Communion) on Lead Vocals and Bass

Lead guitarist Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake/Dio)

Rhythm guitar player David Lowy (Mink/Red Phoenix) 

Drummer Brian Tichy (Foreigner/Ozzy Osbourne)

Tracklist:

Face Your Fear
Hypnotize Yourself
Shine On
Radiance
Born to Fly
Kiss The Sun
Courageous
Cascade
Not Human
Roll On

If memory serves me right, it seems like almost a decade ago that The Dead Daisies hit the ground running with their debut self-title in 2014. We covered them live for the first time in 2013 at The Underworld Camden, a lineup making some noise at the time. That beginning lineup consisted of Dizzy Reed (yes he of G’N’R fame) and the same for Richard Fortus and frontman John Stevens on vocals. What looked to be a promising collaboration at the time, I don’t think that even the successful businessman/musician rockstar David Lowy could have predicted the band still kicking ass years later.

The rotating of very well-known musicians has kept the music going strong and they have made it work somehow. Typically you just don’t see that kind of chemistry when that happens, but being that all these guys the likes of Marco Mendoza, John Tempesta, John Corabi, Doug Aldrich and Deen Castronovo, etc are all seasoned rock vets, it’s not surprising one bit.

But this is just not any All-Star supergroup, the guys have cut their teeth touring intensively around the world and gaining even more followers. With now their 5th album in the works, “Radiance” is a testament to the ongoing allure of all the band members involved through the years. Although I will have to say having Doug Aldrich since 2016 on guitars has definitely cemented more of their sound into every album.

What will their 5th offer bring this time around? Well for one you have the earth-shattering vocals of Glenn Hughes back for more. I don’t know how many 71 years olds singers can still belt out songs with his impactful range, not many for sure. Yes, I know his voice has declined some over the years, but I’ll be damn if that doesn’t make a difference as it’s a high point on this record again for sure. Glenn is not only a genuine bloke, but he’s a legend in the business, any offering with him involved is a must-check out!!! The guys bring back the drum machine Brian Tichy who has been a part of the band on and off for years. To the victor go the spoils as they say.

Let’s get into this joint. The first track “Face Your Fear” erases any doubts that DD music doesn’t rock. You can hear the savage pounding of Tichy on drums, groovy as hell. Glenn sounds as good as ever, his range is always solid as a Rock!!! And bluesy shreds come courtesy of Doug Aldrich. The second single “Hypnotize Yourself” provides a simple riff, a more laid-back approach to this one, but still entices the listener with a nice groovy hook. The chunky groove in “Radiance” comes out gleaming with super addictive melodic hooks of Hughes, and Tichy adds a nice layering of heavy on the drums. The wails of Glenn in “Born To Fly” brings flashes of Zep in “Immigrant Song” in places, a weird comparison but it is what it is. The song is great in its own right no doubt.

The Black Sabbath-esque thumping in “Cascade” stands out as another cool tune. A nice straight-ahead rocker with a mean gritty undertone. The last song “Roll On” is an interesting choice to close things out, as this one charms in its slow ballad style, a nice change of pace for the closer as it drips with Glenn Hughes melodicness.

I feel that with The Dead Daisies the recurring theme is always “carry on”, the machine has been oiled and greased for long performance. It doesn’t matter who they bring in, essentially the ground has been laid and paved for years now. While I could listen to Glenn Hughes all day (although he may be going on hiatus while Black Country Communion records their 5th album in 2023), and the addicting hooks of Aldrich, I think what makes the group tight is the professionalism of all the veteran rock musicians involved. You know what you are going to get with the band, solid Rock, melodic hooks, and killer grooves. You can’t go wrong with “Radiance” another welcome addition to the Daisies catalog!!!

Score: 8/10

Reviewed by: Shadow Editor

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