RIVAL SONS – DARKFIGHTER
8/10
The first of two planned releases this year, this first one does not disappoint. I will go straight in and say I do not find it as good as Feral Roots, which is a masterpiece in my book.
But Darkfighter builds on the music that was on Feral Roots, but not with the same high level of magnificent songs overall. There are 8 good, good songs on this new album, don’t get me wrong.
This is yet again a seventies smelling, sounding, feeling album. It has got a tight rhythm section, great riffing, and the fantastic vocals of Jay Buchanan to guide us through this album.
What does stand out for me is the groove and well-hidden dirtiness that goes through. It is almost towards more blues in the feel. Pain, anguish and so on. But that mixed with the powerful riffs and choruses like in Guillotine and Nobody Wants to Die for example it is a pure rock album. But there are some roots in old classic southern blues that shines through quite well.
Bright Light is my favorite song of the album. It is very diverse in itself. Quite calm and pleasant, but it has an almost gospel feel to it, great guitar with quick changes in both sound, style and all around a diverse and interesting tune.
At the end of the album, we get to hear a more laid back and mellow Buchanan in the vocals for Horses Breath in a song that has a lovely melody but also lets Buchanan showcase a more sensitive side of his voice without the high notes. It could almost be a song by Me And That Man. Finishing of the album is Darkside, slow, sad and really well executed. Powerful shifts between verse and chorus, bombastic almost.
The 40 minutes feels quicker than 40 minutes. Usually a good sign. There is no rest for the listener, and it does not ever get boring. A good album that I think will hold a place om my top 10 when I sum up the year. Anything else would surprise me.
Band: Rival Sons
Title: Darkfighter
Label: Atlantic records
Date of release: 2023-06-02
Rate: 8/10
Stand Out Track: Bright Light
Country of Origin: USA
Playing Time: 39:38
