Year : 2020
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , Melodic Heavy Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 168 mb
Bio:
The genesis of Black Swan was sparked by a conversation between Jeff Pilson and Frontiers' president & head of A&R, Serafino Perugino, who wanted a project that would not only showcase McAuley's vocal prowess, but have a mighty musical backbone to stand skyscraper tall behind him. Thus, the initial seeds were planted and Pilson ran with it from there. "Shake The World" was tracked at Pilson's home studio in Los Angeles, being a showcase of both the musical talents of the instrumental players in the band as well as McAuley's powerful voice. The four members got Black Swan off the ground by exchanging ideas back and forth and then bringing all the songs together. The final result is something fresh, very heavy, but still intensely melodic and it's certainly not Dokken nor Winger nor MSG or some combination thereof, but its own unique animal. As an example, one of the songs was written by Jeff Pilson right after seeing the Queen movie "Bohemian Rhapsody". "I came home and I sat down at the grand piano and pretty much wrote exactly the chorus that we have, just coming straight from the movie. It is a bit Queen-like." Continues Pilson: "It's amazing, incredible music. Wait until you hear everybody's playing and singing. It's beyond, way beyond." Adds Robin McAuley: "This is really exciting for me to read: Black Swan announces the release of 'Shake The World', the first offering from the band on the Frontiers label." I've known Jeff for some thirty years and we have a history of performing together on MSG Unplugged, in addition to being great friends, musically and socially. When he asked me to do this and collaborate with Reb, I didn't have to think too long with my response. Initially he wasn't going to play bass on this, but Reb and I soon changed his mind! Bringing Matt into the mix was a great decision. His powerful energy and style is unmistakable on this album. Overall, it is a very powerful blend of styles and writing. Reb is truly an amazing guitarist and songwriter. Jeff captured my vocals the way I like to sound. Probably the best vocal sound I've had ever! Such a great and creative studio experience for me. This is kick ass, powerful music on an album full of great songs. If you love strong melodies and BIG choruses, Black Swan won't disappoint! It's time to shake the world!" Guitarist Reb Beach says: "When Jeff approached me to do this, I was so excited because I loved writing 'Erase The Slate' with him for Dokken. I've also been playing in the band with Jeff for years and we worked so well together, writing and live too. He is as good as it gets when it comes to a rock musician, a great songwriter and an absolute joy to work with. I came in with riffs, Jeff arranged them into a song by adding his own parts and then Robin wrote the lyrics and knocked it out of the park with the vocals. I am pretty particular about singers and Robin's voice is so slammin' that I wouldn't want anyone else. Matt came in with his huge drum sound and we had a great sounding band. Very exciting stuff!" "Shooting the video was a blast", says drummer Matt Starr. "Shot in Los Angeles over the course of two days, it was similar to recording the record, everything was very organic and comfortable. That's the advantage of working with guys who have so much experience. There's not too much discussion going on. Everybody knows what to do, we just get to work and do it. That leaves more time for hanging out, chatting and smoking cigars!" The album is a killer slice of melodic hard rock/metal from seasoned players who have gelled musically. Whether you are a fan from 'back in the day' or brand-new to the scene and just diving in, the album is essential listening!
Album:
Vocalist Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), guitarist Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), bassist Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, Dokken), and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) have joined forces in Black Swan, a new band project signed to Frontiers Records. Music aside, the only real question is why the album seems to feature what looks like a white Mute Swan on its cover rather than the titular Black Swan? (maybe I’ll get to ask them that later on).From the fiery opener and title track ‘Shake The World’ to the last strains of ‘Divided/United’ Black Swan are a pretty impressive listen and for me it’s the sizzling guitar of Reb Beech that grabs my attention most – Beech seems to be on a mission since contributing some of the best material to Whitesnake’s latest album and he’s similarly on fire here. Listen to the solo of that opener or the riff of follow-up ‘ Big Disaster’ and that is just a taste!If you love your Hard Rock with a lot of groove and some great melodies this is an album that will tick your boxes but it’s also one with a few surprises like gentle AOR ballad ‘Make It There’ or the lush ‘Sacred Place’ a great Melodic rocker where Reb’s guitar is the real star for me. Among my favourites though just might be the perfect storm of ‘Long Road To Nowhere‘ or the foot to the floor verses of ‘Unless we Change’ that melt wonderfully well into the unexpectedly smooth chorus.Then there’s the wonderful Classic Rock of ‘Johnny Came Marching‘ and the more modern sounds of ‘Immortal Souls’. Add to that the finely dressed hard rocking swagger of ‘She’s On To Us’ and ‘The Rock That Rolled Away’ which have my ear at the moment. It’s the Queen-like closer ‘Divided/United’ though that just might top the lot,it’s a song that lifts the whole album up to the next level.Throughout you are reminded of what a great set of pipes McAuley has and with the talent of Pilson (who also produces) and Starr backing it all up, together with the fire of Beech the only question is (aside from that Swan one) like on so many great Frontiers projects is will we ever get to see this live?
Line-Up:
Robin McAuley - Lead Vocals and Background Vocals - See also: Demon Angels, ex-Michael Schenker Fest, Black Swan, ex-Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock (live), ex-Elements of Friction, ex-Frontiers All Stars, ex-Grand Prix, ex-McAuley Schenker Group, ex-Survivor
Reb Beach - Guitars and Background Vocals - See also: The Mob, Whitesnake, ex-Winger
Jeff Pilson - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Keys and Background Vocals - See also: T&N, ex-Hear 'n Aid, Black Swan, Foreigner, Freakshow, The End Machine, ex-Craig Goldy, ex-Dokken, ex-Dio, ex-Power Project, ex-Cinema, ex-Flesh And Blood, ex-Frontiers All Stars, ex-George Lynch, ex-Lynch Mob, ex-Lynch-Pilson, ex-McAuley Schenker Group, ex-Minoru Niihara, ex-Rock Justice, ex-Tooth and Nail, ex-Underground Moon, ex-War & Peace, ex-Wild Horses
Matt Starr - Drums and Percussion - See also: Faithsedge, Ace Frehley, Black Swan, Echobats, Minefield, ex-Bang Tango, ex-Beautiful Creatures, ex-Burning Rain, ex-Mr. Big (live)
Tracklist:
01. Shake The World
02. Big Disaster
03. Johnny Came Marching
04. Immortal Souls
05. Make It There
06. She's On To Us
07. The Rock That Rolled Away
08. Long Road To Nowhere
09. Sacred Place
10. Unless We Change
11. Divided/United
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