Black Star Riders – Another State of Grace
8/10
By stop calling themselves Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders, did themselves a great favour. Nobody complains about how Phil Lynott is not in the band anymore, and on top of that, the band has gone down a new path and really become a true indivual musical experience that doesn’t rely on the works of a band 40 years ago. Four albums into their career, Black Star Riders has made themselves a powerhouse name in rock business and are not only highly successful among Thin Lizzy fans, but have also gained a whole bunch of new ones! “Another State of Grace” is their fourth release, proving they still have the rush of adrenaline the name change provided them with.
But of course, this still sounds a lot like Thin Lizzy. The twin guitar work in opening track “Tonight the Moonlight Let Me Down” sends the right chills down my spine and Ricky Warwicks voice lies very close to Phil Lynott. Still, the song is great and feels genuine all the way! “Another State of Grace” follows, another great song with a nice irish folk music vibe, calling back to the days of “Black Rose”. But not every song recalls the Lizzy days. Perhaps greatest song on the album is the anti gun anthem “Why Do You Love Your Guns?”, a great ballad with true power and emotion, in which Warwick gives a great vocal performance. Also “Aint the End of the World”, “Underneath the Afterglow”, “Soldier in the Ghetto” and “In the Shadow of the War Machine” are absolutely superb rock songs with the exact right combined touch of melodies and force. I even find myself having a hard time not naming almost all of the songs… That says a lot!
After so many years of touring the world, Black Star Riders has become a tight and intense rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse, and I’m glad we finally get to hear this not only live but also in studio. They are a really damn good rock band. They have the power, the emotion and the energy and this time they strike all the right notes. “Another State of Grace” proves once and for all that they are one of the best providers of classic hard rock out there today. Don’t miss it for the world!
Band: Black Star Riders
Title: Another State of Grace
Label: Nuclear Blast
Date of release: 6/9-19
Time: 38,54
Rate: 8/10
Stand out tracks: Why Do You Love Your Guns?
