Hard rock is still alive, if not in the new generation, then in super groups and Frontiers Records bet high on this concept, after all it would not be a big news, but the names contained in this band concept definitely shine under the name BLACK SWAN.
Joining vocalist Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), guitarist Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), bassist Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, ex-Dokken), and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) BLACK SWAN enters for the match of the scene as one of the eminent powers with this constellation of music stars. Opening the activities, the band released on february 14th their debut album “Shake The World“, with eleven tracks and beautiful artcover.
We could stay here for hours talking about the past of these musicians but anyone knows the high level that accompanies them and “Shake The World” is our focus taking off line by the mind-boggling “The Rock That Rolled Away” and its emphasized drum turns and high vocals at a contagious pace. This band knows exactly where each point should be and an effervescent solo rips through the Rainbow bar strip. Welcome back to the electrifying hard rock soundtrack of those dream and road video clips, Robin McAuley will keep you anesthetized as him duplicate and replicate the layers of his voice along with high and visceral guitars.
Dare to return to the landscapes of pure fun and beautiful girls while “She’s On To Us” bounces in your ears with profuse riffs and tasty choruses, Reb Beach sounds superb throughout this release between illuminated solos and blues references “Sacred Place” wins place with a feeling of half ballad full of emotion, and at this moment we are obliged to admit, the projects of this type are many at the moment but never underestimate these musicians, this union is as magnificent as you can imagine. So since we are talking about feelings, that saying of divide and conquer can be in the past in “Divided/United” and its melodious veins, acoustic guitar and flourishing keyboards dancing on the track while the vocals provide you with a certain melancholy, but don’t get used to it, these musicians know how to raise the vibration of the room and the track unfolds at a refreshing pace again. The production is also something admirable, this is an album of perfect levels and greetings to mixing and mastering that sound fair here.
I mentioned above that hard rock still lives and I know how many doubted it but they can even take the queue of the march in “Johnny Came Marching“, yes, this is pure hard rock babe! Everything is here, the hard guitars, the compulsive bass, the double turns and rhythms and the voices that play with the listener, turn up the volume and delight, because that is the only thing I can do while listening to this album.
Here there is also room for ballads too, those full of passion, those that move couples and lovers, “Make It There” will give you this moment, with all the growing and emotional sound of the best 80’s style.
From the teeming title track “Shake The World” to “Immortal Souls” and “Long Road To Nowhere” this album proves itself as an exponent on the scene and a worthy prize for Frontiers, certainly the embryo born between Jeff Pilson and “commander” Serafino Perugino evolved into a very strong project about Robin McAuley and the combination with other high-level musicians made it possible to create something made to work, as gears in perfect harmony become difficult to find fault. Perhaps much of the same for some but in terms of quality it is unbeatable, edifying and adorably melodic “Shake The World” has come to rock the world and your hearing is highly recommended.
Stars: 5/5
Track listing
1 – Shake The World
2 – Big Disaster
3 – Johnny Came Marching
4 – Immortal Souls
5 – Make It There
6 – She’s On To Us
7 – The Rock That Rolled Away
8 – Long Road To Nowhere
9 – Sacred Place
10 – Unless We Change
11 – Divided/United
Line-up
Robin McAuley – Lead Vocals and Background Vocals
Reb Beach – Guitars and Background Vocals
Jeff Pilson – Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Keys and Background Vocals
Matt Starr – Drums and Percussion
