Share the post "Album review: CAPTAIN BLACKBEARD – Sonic Forces"
AOR Heaven [Release date 24.04.20]
Swedish band Captain Blackbeard released their fourth album, ‘Struck By Lightning’ in 2018 with then new singer Liv Hansson on MelodicRock Records. It was produced Jona Tee (keyboardist in H.e.a.t.) and it was a pretty decent melodic rock album. However, early the following year the band brought in singer Martin Holsner and started to work on a new album with producer Dave Malone, who is also the guitarist in H.e.a.t. (they certainly seem to like working with members of that band). Guitarist Christian Ek and bassist Robert Majd remain from the 2018 line-up and they have a new drummer, Vinnie Stromberg.
Lead single ‘Headlights’ really reminded me of Shy and the late, great Tony Mills, as the vocals and song have a lot of similarities with Shy. The title track is another one in a similar vein, featuring a lovely keys fade out. Elsewhere the H.e.a.t. influence can be heard on ‘Time To Deliver’ and ‘Midnight Cruiser’, although these two along with ‘Gotham City’, are fairly standard songs for the genre.
‘Young Hearts’ is a single in waiting, with a rousing chorus and one you can picture Brother Firetribe doing. Perfectly timed guitar solo on this one too. ‘Emptiness’ is a bit different, as they use NASA recordings and plenty of keys/synths. With an 80s retro feel it verges into Night Flight Orchestra territory.
Martin Holsner is a decent vocalist, perfect for this style of Scandi flavoured melodic hard rock. Not sure who played the keyboards, but they add greatly to the songs on here.
Captain Blackbeard continue to produce good quality melodic rock, however they really need a settled line-up so they can establish themselves and their sound. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: CAPTAIN BLACKBEARD – Sonic Forces"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
