MOLLY HATCHET: Warriors Of The Rainbow Bridge (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

The life of a Southern rock band seems to be systematically paved with human dramas. Lynyrd Skynyrd and its tragic plane crash in 1977, and The Allman Brothers Band with the dramatic deaths of Duane Allman in 1971 and Berry Oakley in 1972 are the most famous examples. In the early 2000s, it was Molly Hatchet's turn to see the great reaper strike the Florida band. Shortly after the death of the wife of Bobby Ingram, leader of the group, a pneumonia had reason of the mythical singer of the origins: Danny Joe Brown. But the groups of the South are granite blocks on which come to break the blades of the destiny and which always get up again of the relentlessness of the bad fate. To prove it, Bobby Ingram proposes to Dave Hlubek to reintegrate the sextet, which the latter accepts, thus becoming the only original member within a line-up which also sees the arrival of Tim Lindsey (Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd) at the post of bassist.

As he has done since "Devil's Canyon" (1996), an album that saw Bobby Ingram's takeover and Phil McCormack's arrival at the microphone, Molly Hatchet unleashes his southern hard rock that smells of overheated asphalt, dust and smoked saloons. 'Son Of The South', 'Get In The Game', 'Gone In Sixty Seconds' or 'No Stranger To The Darkness' swing their big guitars and their choruses cut to become bikers' anthems. As for 'Moonlight Dancin' On The Bayou', 'Time Keeps Sleeping Away' or 'Hell Has No Fury', they represent the boogie side of the Floridians, with piano beats and catchy choruses.

On their side, 'I'm Ready For You' and its groove of dirty bar, and 'Roadhouse Boogie' play on the alternation of the tempi. And Molly Hatchet wouldn't be what it is without a few pieces allowing time for the ambiences to settle and the intensity to climb before ending on irresistible guitar cavalcades. 'Flames Are Burning' is probably the greatest success in this respect with its melancholic beginning and its delicate piano then its ascent towards a superb race led by Bobby Ingram and Dave Hlubek. More surprising, 'Behind The Bedroom Door' astonish with its introduction worthy of 'With A Little Help Of My Friends' version of Joe Cocker at Woodstock. Plunging then in a more typical boogie, it sees the guitarists and John Galvin (keyboards) multiplying the soli. Finally, 'Rainbow Bridge' is a perfect balance between emotion and dignity. A tribute to the recently deceased, it does not sink into lament and proposes instead to face adversity with pride.

Without a fail and solid in all areas, 'Warriors Of The Rainbow Bridge' presents a Molly Hatchet in top shape despite the painful events that may have struck his members. Pumping up the muscles, he is the perfect example of the strength of southern rock and the bands that have carved its legend. Alongside "Silent Reign Of Heroes" (1998), it stands out as the best testimony of what the Floridians have been able to offer since the mid-80s. - Official website

MOLLY HATCHET

WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

SPV STEAMHAMMER

HARD ROCK