Black Swan - Shake The World
Released 14/2/20
Album review by; DeeDee
I guess I am not alone in feeling a little dubious, when news of another ’Supergroup’, care of Frontiers Records, is announced. There have been several ensembles in recent years, which have shone as sudden as a supernova, to then disappear into a Black Hole. However, the concept is far from new and when I take a look at many classic bands over the years, I am amazed at just how many can be categorised as being a Supergroup. With this in mind, I suppose the industry is more accessible these days for musicians, who have the means, to be able to join up and combine their ideas. They may only produce one or two albums, but the opportunity is there and to be honest we have had some phenomenal bands in more recent times, who you could list under this banner.
BLACK SWAN is the latest project to hit us. I start playing their offering ‘Shake The World’ and from the introductory number, which is also the title track, there is a sense of something waiting to be unleashed. A powerful opener, with a sinister and menacing introduction, it then begins to rush with unstoppable pace. Have to state from the off, I am so impressed with the level of production. Jeff Pilson who has played bass with names as impressive as Foreigner and Dokken, has engineered and produced this album and the clarity is amazing. Not only his bass and occasional piano, but every beat of Matt Starrs’ (Ace Frehley, Mr Big) drums, every pluck from the guitar of Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake, Dokken, Night Ranger) and every note from singer Robin McAuley (MSG, Survivor) is picked up and can be easily distinguished.
‘Big Disaster’ keeps the momentum, steady rhythm and some guitar wizardry from the vastly underrated Mr Beach. ‘Johnny Came Marching’ is more forceful, driving along with a statement chorus and chunky hook. At nearly 6 minutes long it has it all, quite an epic track. ‘Immortal Souls’ features more guitar splendour and then it’s time to pull in the reins for ‘Make It There’. McAuley demonstrates his range and as the song builds I can appreciate what a stroke of brilliance ‘Shake The World’ is and we are only on track 5. It’s back to a faster beat with ’She’s On To Us’, this is one of my favourites and it has bite, with another catchy chorus and stacks of guitar, very adhering on the brain. ‘The Rock That Rolled Away’ with a mixture of strings and unrelenting speed, also has an impressive finish, the last 2 minutes are a change in tempo and pretty much earth moving. ‘Long Road To Nowhere’ is also a panel beater, bass and drums feature heavily and it leads well into ‘Sacred Place’ which has mellow strings and lower vocals. A more poignant message, with a softer and sombre effect.
‘Unless We Change’ also begins with a few mellow chords, but these are soon replaced with more dynamic vocals and more pounding. The final track ‘Divided / United’ is another statement piece, piano accompanies the sobering lyrics and at times the vocals just float up into the air and carried away. This song is six minutes of sheer brilliance, as halfway through it breaks into the type of monumental structured sounds you would liken to ‘Queen’. I understand it was written by Jeff after he recently watched ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, what an inspirational film that was.
Black Swan a supergroup indeed and one I hope, that doesn’t fade into oblivion. Because this is a mighty album, well composed and having top class production. Let’s hope they go out on the road with it, I would love to see them live.
4.5/5
