The Black Star Riders formed in 2012 when the current members of Irish rock band Thin Lizzy decided they wanted to start making music together again.
They decided to take on a new name according to guitarist Scott Gorman‘ out of respect to Phil Lyncott and the legacy he created’ as the first Black Star Riders album – All Hell Breaks Loose which was released in may 2013 would be the first new album created by the band as a collective since founding member Lyncott passed away in January 1986. The Black Star Riders are now back to tour their third album ‘Heavy Fire’ which was released in early February of this year on the Nuclear Blast record label.
As I entered the iconic venue the atmosphere was friendly as it normally is with this genre of music, the drinks were flowing and even though it’s only a Tuesday, the worst day of the week the 2500 capacity venue was almost full but not quite a sell-out show. Gun were first to enter the stage tonight and vocalist Dante Gizzi was already part way through the bands cover of Cameos ‘Word Up!’ as I made my way through the crown to the photo pit, a great way to start the show as who doesn’t like this song?! The rest of Gun’s set was a great collection of the re-formed 80’s hit band finishing on ‘Shame On You’ from their 1989 album Taking On The World, a solid start to our evening of rock.
Next up was the Backyard Babies bringing their sleazy rocky vibes all the way from Stockholm, Sweden for the pleasure of our ears. Having formed over 20 years ago the guys knew how to put on a show with great energy from frontman Nicke Borg and his accomplice on guitar Dregen giving the show an air of mystery by choosing to keep his hood up for the evening. The band played a few of their older tracks towards the end of their set including popular hit ‘Minus Celsius’ from their 2004 album Stockholm Syndrome ending on a high and getting the audience ready for the main act. The Backyard Babies are a very energetic rock band and I would highly recommend going to see one of their shows on their next tour of the UK.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man (or men in this case), the clock strikes 9:30 and the mighty Black Star Riders enter the stage, guitarist Damon Johnson leading the way followed by Ricky Warwick dressed suitably in a black leather waist coat and the darkest sunglasses he could find, the show begins.
The band open their performance by playing ‘Heavy Fire’ from their brand-new album of the same name setting the room alight and reminding us that even though they might be a new band, Thin Lizzy still runs through their veins. The band gives us a crowd pleaser, a few songs into the set with ‘Hey Judas’ from the first album All Hell Breaks Loose with Johnson jumping from the stage into the pit to greet some of the fans in the front row. The tempo slows a little after this with Cold War Love but quickly changed with a killer riff from guitarist Scott Gorman during ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’ and then breaking into the only Thin Lizzy track from the night – ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ which obviously went down like a lead balloon for all ages of fan in the room.
The next few tracks took us on a journey through the bands three albums including one of my favourite tracks from the night ‘Testify Or Say Goodbye’ and a killer bass solo from Robbie Crane giving the rest of the group a quick breather before the show ends with no encore and playing the track ‘Finest Hour’.
This has definitely been one of my favourite gigs of the year so far and I would highly recommend going to see this band on their Heavy Fire tour if you get the chance.
Words and Photos by Jamie Townsend
