When Black Star Riders first formed in 2012 out of the ashes of the present day incarnation of Thin Lizzy, it’s fair to say that they divided opinion. There were some who felt that the memory of the iconic Phil Lynott would overshadow anything that Scott Gorham, Ricky Warwick and Co. might create. When they released debut album All Hell Breaks Loose in 2013 though, they made many nay sayers eat their words. Now they’re back withsome more than welcome second helpings.
Sounding both classic and modern, and laden with great hooks, the record is a riot to listen to. Peppered with just the right amount of those iconic Lizzy twin-guitar leads, the likes of the title track, ‘The Killer Instinct’, and ‘Reckoning Day’ are brilliant rock songs. What’s more, singer Warwick has never sounded cooler. Elsewhere, the Troubles-era set ‘Soldierstown,’ is a hugely enjoyable drinking song, which takes its cues from ‘Emerald’, while ‘Finest Hour’ fully lives up to its title: I reckon it is is Black Star Riders’ best effort yet. Wistful yet rocking, the tune has a spine-tingling, stadium-shaking hook and beautiful guitar-work. To paraphrase the band themselves: this could be their finest hour. Black Star Riders have arrived.

Key Track - 'Finest Hour'