Ricky Warwick is back with his latest solo album “Fire & Vengeance” and, much like anything he puts his hand to it is brilliant: a heady mix of rock’n’roll, punk rock, country and folk rock that soothes the soul.
This album sees a man who has honed his craft to near perfection over the course of forty years, knowing how to grab your attention and hold it, and right from the start of this one you know it’s going to be fun. “Fire & Vengeance” sees Warwick and the band open up with a mid-tempo rocker that packs a punch in the shape of Warwick’s brilliant vocals, a big drum beat and Lizzy-style riffs that create a catchy as hell rhythm to get the head bobbing and foot tapping, a great way to start it all off. “Hellbent & Heaven Sent” kicks it up a notch with a heavier, more punk approach as Warwick roars his way through to the backdrop of a punchy drum beat and gritty riffs that all seem to snarl in unison, while the solo from Doug Aldrich, Whitesnake, The Dead Daisies fame, is insane; this is a non-stop joy ride.
“Seek Zen Destroy” brings the funk with a monster bass line and some groovy riffs from Def Leppard’s Phil Collen, who also lends his voice for backing vocals, midway through the track takes a heavier tone and Collen lets rip with a nice solo before it dips back to the funk, while not your usual fare from Warwick this just goes to show his versatility and ability to change direction, a gem of a track. “When The King Falls” is a slow stripped back number that has a country feel with a little Stones thrown in on the harmonies, featuring Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr on guitar and backing vocals, it a nice change of pace that allows Warwick to spread his wings a bit and do something completely different but with the same effect as if is was a high paced rocker, a real standout track. “You Just Lie” bursts into life with a heavy bassline and some cutting riffs as Warwick half-snarls his way through to give the track an edgy feel; for all of that, it still has melodic choruses to give it an extra dimension and help balance the simmering tension on the song.
“The Angels Share” is brilliant; from the slow and easy drum beat to the interplay between the acoustic and electric guitars to Warwick’s smooth vocals, it captivates from the start, a stunning track. “Last Chance To Dance” is a killer tune, the bouncing rhythm created by the drums and booming bass is so infectious that you will be hard pressed to keep you body still, the guitars are excellent with that Lizzy flair keeping in step with the low end and accentuating the groove of the track, the solo dropped towards the back end of the album is sublime, Warwick is inspired on this one as he pays homage to Philo, one of his idols, with a blistering vocal shift, one of the best tracks on the album. “Sweet County Down” takes you from high-paced rock’n’roll to folksy in a heartbeat with his ode to his home county and a return to his roots; the blend of Irish folk music and country gives it a quirky Divine Comedy “National Express” sound. The echoey opening riffs of “Tumbleweed Town” give way to a thunderous drum beat and thumping bass line that drive the track add to that distorted guitars and Warwick’s gravelly vocals giving it a heavier, grittier vibe, the tempo drops slightly midway through to allow for a nice solo before picking back up with a bass heavy finale.
“If You Think Your Country Needs You…” is a slower, downtuned track that has an air of heaviness around it lightened only by the cracking guitar work throughout. Warwick’s vocals are on the verge of pleading as you can feel the raw emotion coming through; this is a monster of a track and a case of simply leaving the best till last. There is a bonus track, “Never In Doubt” which is another twist in the tail as it is a bouncing country tune that is at odds with the majority of what has gone before, and the reason it is a bonus rather than an actual album track; either way, it’s catchy as hell and a bit of fun!
Another brilliant collection of songs from a man who turns everything he touches to gold and someone who clearly loves what he does.
“Fire & Vengeance” is out on the 4th of September via Earache Records
Review: Conor
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