One band that never lets you down is Trucker Diablo and on new long player ‘Fighting For Everything’ I’m glad to say not only does that still ring true but the music has been taken to another level entirely even exceeding the bar set by the wonderful ‘Songs of Iron’ from 2013 and certainly sweeping past ‘Rise Above the Noise’.
‘Born Trucker’ that opens is swathed in melody, shot through with a Thin Lizzy aesthetic and a Southern Rock nuance with grinding guitar and solid as a rock rhythm section: it really feels like the guys have found their perfect mix of rawness, energy and smooth sheer hard rock and roll. ‘We Will Conquer All’ is built on a relentless riff that grows wings as the groove kicks in and sports the sort of wonderful extended solo that makes you think of what bands like Molly Hatchet used to do with a guitar break. It makes you realise that Rock can be this simple, this immediate and doesn’t need to be categorized and genre labelled – with Trucker you just need to hit play.
Just to rub the Southern Rock element in ‘Drown in the Fire’ starts with what sounds like a banjo before establishing a dirty groove, its the sort of territory and quality of a band like Black Stone Cherry (who Trucker have supported in the past) and a sound for sore ears. And the big truck just keeps on rolling with the hard rocking power of ‘Voodoo II’; the sweeping clear-blue-sky melodies of ‘Let’s Just Ride’ and the glorious noise of title track ‘Fighting For Everything’. This is sounding like a rather important album and we’re only half way in!
After a chugging opening riff things are taken right down for the heartfelt ‘Over the Wall’ its a wonderful song that drips with melody and sports a killer solo. It’s stunning, and just when you think that things can’t get any better and you’re relishing another Top Ten release by the guys they hit you with the two best tracks here. ‘Detroit Steel’ is a massive throbbing masterpiece that encapsulates all that I love about rock and roll and it lays down a groove as deep and tall as anything here. It’s ‘Die For You’ though that seals the deal and elevates this from just another great album (no mean feat in itself) to a serious contender for album of the year. Man the guitars – you can almost see the flames! It may be the hardest track here but it fits in seamlessly.
We run out with two more solid songs that showcase the two sides of the band – on many albums a rocking track like ‘Pocket Full of Changes’ might even be the game-changer but here it has to take a number there’s that much competition! It sees Trucker at their peak – perfectly hitting that fine balance between smooth whiskey-soaked melody and power. Acoustic-led closer ‘When The Waters Rise’ is conversely all about the deftness of touch and slow build, its a heartbreaking tale and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Jeez these guys have nailed it.
If you love hard and heavy rock and Trucker Diablo aren’t on your radar then you are seriously missing out.
