If like me you love a dose of Southern Rock and rate Black Stone Cherry as one of the best bands around then cast your eyes towards Wales! Yes Wales, home of The Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers.
Sure the riff to opener Southern flavoured ‘Texas Red’ might not be the most original but to me sometimes thats the point its certainly big and meaty enough to bend your ear and loaded with a lyric straight out of Molly Hatchet territory. I love it and I love it even more when the melody kicks in to offset that riff. It’s a great start to what turns out is a pretty damn fine album that has a common thread running through it.
“The inspiration for ‘A Tale of Sin and Sorrow’ came from research into the Camino Pilgrimage in Northwestern Spain, which Dan eventually undertook”, the band explains. “Many of the albums’ themes and characters imagery draw a direct comparison to the wonderful mythology of this ancient expedition.”
Following 2016’s self titled release, and 2017’s ‘The Other Side of Nowhere’ EPs ‘A Tale of Sin and Sorrow’ builds on that solid initial promise. ‘Find My Way’ sweeps in with a nice rolling groove; and the single ‘Standing Stones that follows just underlines that these guys have something special to offer – its a heady mix of all of the old school Rock that you love and you know it!
‘The Witch’s King’ is another juggernaut of a song, but seems wonderfully restrained; and ‘Soul to Save’ is another real standout that for me might even be the best thing here – abounding with energy and just taking it all to another level.
‘Victorious’ adds a little more country Rock flavour and ‘All Outta Faith’ again just hits that sweet spot that takes it all to another level that if truth be told they’re pretty close to throughout. It’s just a killer sing-long , whilst the wonderful ‘The Crow’ takes us down to gentler waters and shows that there’s subtlety in the artillery as well as the power. It’s up there with the very best in this collection.
‘Breathe Again’ is another assured and pleasing groove, and ‘West of Forever’ is another moment that makes you realise what a talented bunch these guys really are and how certain it is that with the wind behind them they will break through. It’s a song that is intriguingly entitled ‘Lost’ on the review copy I have.
That just leaves us with final track the searching and guitar-seared ‘Without a Throne’ – a great way to go out. This is really great stuff and you’ll want to check it out.
‘A Tale of Sin and Sorrow’ was recorded and produced at the Boneyard Recording Studio (Dream State, Buffalo Summer) in Neath by Andrew Francis and Phil Humphreys, and is released 5th June 2020.
8/10
TRACKLIST: 1) Texas Red | 2) Find my Way | 3) Standing Stones | 4) The Witch’s King | 5) Soul to Save | 6) Victorious (Take my Chains) | 7) All Outta Faith | 8) The Crow | 9) Breathe Again | 10) West of Forever | 11) Without a Throne
LINE-UP: Luke Phillips – Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar | Daniel Richards – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals | Jay Haines – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals | Lewis Watkins – Bass Guitar
LIVE: 28 June – WILDFIRE FESTIVAL | 11 July – MANCHESTER, SOS Festival | 22 Aug – BATHGATE, NR Rocks | 30 Aug – NORTHWICH, Rockwich
. Official Website: https://www.everydayheroesband.co.uk
. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EDHbandUK
. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayheroesofficial
. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9q3dMfJwHoP7jFu7l5sdQ
. Twitter: https://twitter.com/EDHbandUK
