Released by: Atlantic Recordings
Release Date: June 21nd, 2023
Genre: Rock
Links: https://www.rivalsons.com/
Line Up:
Jay Buchanan
Scott Holiday
Michael Miley
Dave Beste
Tracklist:
01. Mirrors
02. Nobody Wants To Die
03. Bird In The Hand
04. Bright Light
05. Rapture
06. Guillotine
07. Horses Breath
08. Darkside
How many records can you release in a year? If you are Rival Sons, the magic number is two of course! The original release of the new album “Darkfighter” was, after all, first postponed from March to 02 June 2023. But the wait is worth it. The follow-up album hinted at above and, in a sense, the counterpart to it called “Lightbringer” will probably be released at the end of 2023. So after the last record of 2019 and thus during the pandemic, the band seems to have experienced a real storm of creativity, unlike some others.
RIVAL SONS became for me better from album to album so I now expect that same level of quality. Again we have a collab with Grammy award-winning producer Dave Cobb, even better as the production speaks for itself. And Blues-Rock friends will surely have a lot of fun with this eight-track album. The new tunes sound simply pristine as RIVAL SONS bend together a connection of 70s Classic Rock and modern and as they have done so well in previous offerings.
“DARKFIGTHER” thematically deals with the darker side of thoughts of the last pandemic years. Songs like `Guillotine` makes you question what the hell you are doing, and the song `Bird In The Hand` almost reminds you to stay in the moment and concentrate on the essentials. My most listened song on the album is however the quite heavy and last song of the record `Darkness` where the lyrics revival state are: “Are you able to protect the ones you love?”. This just hits on another level, not only vocally. A perfect ending.
This blues rock album is for me the proof that the Californian band consisting of Jay Buchanan (vocals), Scott Holiday (guitar), Michael Miley (drums), and Dave Beste (bass) has again developed a groovy step further and has put together a colorful potpourri thanks to catchy melodies, sometimes wild guitar work, some style breaks and meaningful lyrics, which is in places both radio suitable and thought-provoking. While you can just see yourself dreaming while having a barbecue with friends at a river and jumping over a meadow, you stare at the next song lost in thought into the fire. That`s life! That`s “Darkfighter”!
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 8/10
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