Smith/ Kotzen- "Black light-White noise"

 

 

A collaboration that came out of nowhere ,now releases its second album. This time the grounds are stabler, the players are far more confident to create, incorporate, try and experiment. I would describe in one sentence the album as if the IRON MAIDEN had the funky groove of if the WINERY DOGS had a heavier direction as target. 

 

Smith continues his ASAP days in a more creative way, collaborating with Kotzen who let his heavier inner self out. Both are well known as guitar players who dwells  as successfully as Murray/Smith at MAIDEN but with less heaviness and far more groove, like Hendrix meets Schenker in a guitar jam. But the voice, Kotzen gives these songs a far more 70s smooth, funky taste, reminiscent of Glenn Hughes at some points and make em "Black" enough." White Noise" is a groovy 70s rocker, while opening track "Muddy water" is a heavier , funkier version of MAIDEN with groovy vocals.The album is full of guitar dwelling,shredding form two players raised on 70s maestros, that don't care on speed but focus on vibrato, groove and feeling."Black light" is a modern groove rocker that Lenny Kravitz would have killed to have written and suits perfectly to Kotzen's heavier moments form his solo works. "Darkside" has a western feeling and the traditional speed fingering guitar picking of Kotzen in the intro, guess Bon Jovi aiming for something similar to "Blaze of glory" but never made it."Life unchained" is the essence of the collaboration, vocals exchange between verses , strong guitar work heavy and groovy but never reminiscent of their previous works/bands and a song modern, groovy, heavy and unique, the mature product of their continuing collaboration that shows a different aspect for both musicians regarding what they can offer to their fans, outside their comfort zone. 

 

 

 

"Blindsided” is a track with Hard rock written all over it, up tempo and groovy and. solo reminiscent of early GNR and Slash with Hendrix of course. “Wraith” has a JUDAS PRIEST feeling, "Screaming a Vengeance" era with a heavier/stripped down groove. Their blues/Southern music tributes come alive at the slow burner, mojo shaking of  “Heavy Weather”, a song swampy and humid as Florida.“Outlaw” is the  track, where melodic rock takes over the place, groovy, foot stomping,and chorus addictive. The closing track "Beyond pale' comes as a reminder of their past, their abilities and what this collaboration means, to expand limits, ideas and still be yourself,for yourself and not the fans. A bit over seven min. an epic track, mid tempo with echoes from THIN LIZZY, Gary Moore, Glenn Hughes with wah wah and 70s Hammond and Kotzen makes the song a tearful ballad and an epic love song before both unleash the guitar beast and create havoc, with single notes and emotional soloing.

 

An album full of guitars, groove and a fruitful collaboration that evolves through years  to a unique,distinctive sound and prolific songwriting.

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