PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS: We're The Bastards (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After an EP and a promising first album with his offspring and singer Neil Starr ("The Age Of Absurdity" - 2018), Phil Campbell had followed up with a solo opus on which he invited a lot of participants, each more prestigious than the last ("Old Lions Still Roar" - 2019). Seemingly as insatiable as ever, the Welshman is back with his family formation for a delivery whose objectives are both to confirm the quality of his predecessor, but also to free himself a little more from Motörhead's strong heritage. Certainly, the title of "We're The Bastards" reminds us of a certain "We Are Motörhead" (2000) or the "(We Are) The Road Crew" present on "Ace Of Spades" (1980). To stand out from the original matrix, there is better!

However, the experience of "Old Lions Still Roar" marked Phil Campbell who explored various territories with talent. Although more compact than his solo album, the newcomer nonetheless shares his protean approach by going in several directions. First of all, there are the fundamentally hard rock old school tracks that show a formidable efficiency, such as the eponymous 'We're The Bastards', designed to become a live anthem with its unstoppable chorus and its unifying introductory lyrics: "Music is medicine, music is therapy". More anchored in the 70's, 'Bite My Tongue' is made for the road and benefits from an incendiary solo. 'Keep Your Jacket On' confirms the science of the boss's riff while 'Riding Straight To Hell' comes flirting with an AC/DC-like hard rock boogie with a groove that'll knock your neck out.

If some pieces logically return to the legend Motörhead, we must admit that it is with success and efficiency. What about this 'Son Of A Gun' propelled by a massive and dynamic bass and whose energetic and sharp riff rips everything in its path. Incisive and overpowering, 'Animals' takes us back to the most punkish hours of Motörhead while 'Destroyed' drives the nail in with its "Fuck You!" erupted in the company of Harley Flanagan (Cro-Mags).

And then there are the more surprising tracks like the modern 'Promises Are Poison' that could hurt on North American FM waves. 'Born To Roam' and 'Desert Song', on the other hand, trample the southern lands. The former, worthy of Black Stone Cherry, smells of beer and sweat on a road with overheated asphalt, while the latter leans on bluesy foundations and flirts with the stoner. Finally, 'Waves' surprises by closing the whole in a grungy atmosphere.

The Welsh quintet offers us a new flawless performance, confirming their influences while moving away from them and multiplying their experiences with talent. Speaking of talent, we must pay tribute to a Neil Starr whose progress is breathtaking and who is here able to vary the interpretations in different registers in order to best translate the atmosphere of each track. If you're still looking for an heir to Motörhead but don't want him to act as a clone, it's logical to turn to Phil Campbell And The Bastards Sons who perpetuates the tradition of a varied, honest and flawlessly efficient hard rock. - Official website

PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS

WE'RE THE BASTARDS

NUCLEAR BLAST

HARD ROCK