Scott Gorham Thin Lizzy- successor band rocks more

It took a while for the drug-related death of Phil Lynott, Thin Lizzy- to the survivors decided to new music. But after several Greatest HITS tours the need was probably just too big - if it was more the need of musicians or fans, remains to be seen. However, the new band name "Black Star Riders" was chosen in order to distinguish themselves from the overpowering original tape. The new guitarist Damon Johnson has Lynotts songwriting so meticulously studied that the new songs actually sound almost like heirlooms from the good old days, only in more modern sound. Another plus is the vocals of Ricky Warwick (ex- Almighty), who closely follows Lynott. Is responsible for the production of this here second album this time Kevin Shirley responsible, but Nick Raskulinecz, also bassist Marco Mendoza Robbie Crane was replaced. The opener closes seamlessly with the incredibly catchy "Bound for Glory" from its predecessor. "Soldier Town" is reminiscent of "Emerald" and "Blind Sided" is also a ballad on board. However, the last remaining original member Scott Gorham seems to suffer from writer's block; only three pieces he co-wrote, the rest comes from Johnson and Warwick. Does not matter, as long as at the end of a solid, convincing album like this comes out. Four stars.

The special edition has next to the beautiful presentation as Digibook six bonus tracks, including two new songs and four acoustic versions regular album tracks. That you should treat yourself as a fan already. Of course, the classic albums by Thin Lizzy (Fighting, Jailbreak, Johnny the Fox, Bad Reputation, Live & Dangerous, Chinatown, Thunder & Lightning) better invested money for newcomers.