BLACK STAR RIDERS: Another State Of Grace (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The giant Thin Lizzy released his latest album - the exceptional'Thunder And Lightning' - in 1983, Phil Lynott, his creator, died three years later. His acolytes, helped by a few hand-picked partners, perpetuated the legend by playing to the stage, for years and under the original name, the band's only titles. In 2013, by the grace of Scott Gorham, the most loyal guitarist to the Lynott's army, Black Star Riders was born. Thus born, more than a clone of the giant, its descendant.

Six years later, the offspring have grown well and can be proud of the three albums they have released since their debut. The latest one - a "Heavy Fire" who had his little succes - came to tickle our earpieces at the beginning of 2017. In other words, we were beginning to get impatient to put an ear on the little brother of the above-mentioned one. Also, what a joy it was to learn that this "Another State Of Grace" would charm our eardrums in this year 2019.

We are going to go straith to the goal. This BSR opus is the most beautiful musical object that the friends in Gorham have released since their appearance. Speaking of comrades, the line-up has seen some staff movements here. Exit Jimmy DeGrassio who is replaced on drums by a Chad Szeliga from the Black Label Society, just like Damon Johnson who is succeeded on guitar by a Christian Martucci straight out of Stone Sour. For the rest, and this is ultimately the most important thing, the pillars still support the building : Scott Gorham - the one who allows Thin Lizzy's sound to survive - and Ricky Warwick - the one whose voice reminds us so much Phil Lynott are still here.

This'Another Stae Of Grace' doesn't take more than a second to bring us back to the dinosaur. From the first bars of "Tonight The Moonlight Let Me Down" we go back in time to the beginning of the 80's and the opus "Black Rose". A maelstrom of guitars, melodies and a finale carried by a magnificent saxophone leave us stunned and shivering in compulsive anticipation of the next track that we hope will be of the same kind. And against all odds, the next track is...even more remarkable! The eponymous title of the new offspring is simply hymnic, as could be an "Over The Hills And Far Away" by the late Gary Moore, who was also Lynott's travelling companion. "Ain't The End Of The World" sounds like a hit and Gorham's solo, fluid as a return to the source, completes the work in the most beautiful way.

Seven other scores complete this "Another State Of Grace", it would be tedious to place them all, glorifying them, at the foot of the statue of Father Phil. And yet they would deserve it because "Soldier In The Ghetto" - this one you're going to chant at the top of your lungs! - would have made the father of "Military Man" shudder with nostalgia and the ballad "Why Do You Love Your Guns ?" would probably have caused his tears not to be there to push the ritornello alongside his former playmate.

If you have enjoyed Thin Lizzy, you will put two knees on the ground listening to this fourth album of his heirs. And if you've missed this enchanting combo, head straight for this excellent hard rock album with an Irish flair. The desire to discover Thin Lizzy's work will only be able to attract you and you will have filled a void in your musical culture that you never suspected. - Official website

BLACK STAR RIDERS

ANOTHER STATE OF GRACE

NUCLEAR BLAST

HARD ROCK