Album review: LAST IN LINE – Jericho

earMUSIC [Release date 31.03.23]

As far as recent ‘superbands’ go I think it is fair to say that Last In Line come from the heavier bluesy rock end of the spectrum when say compared to a band like Revolution Saints. There is a Zeppelin-esque trajectory and of course not forgetting the Dio heritage. Having seen this band in a very small venue just prior to Lockdown I couldn’t help but be impressed by the evident musicality and lineage, and not least the seasoned and rather special guitar playing of Vivian Campbell.

So along comes album number 3 with their vocalist Andrew Freeman now fully settled in the firmament and playing a more commanding role too.

The confidence in this band is well displayed in the several early ‘single’ releases such as ‘Ghost Town’ and ‘Do The Work’ But when they go mid-tempo they can also impress such as ‘Burning Bridges’.

Campbell for his part is a bit of a chameleon, not unlike Reb Beach, in that he adapts easily to any environment be it Dio, the wonderful Shadow King, or more obviously Def Leppard. But Last In Line gives him a true chance to shine. We’re not just talking tone here but the ability to really enhance a song whether it is in the riffage or the little fills and touches which make up the appealing whole.

Whilst the phasers are set to stun throughout there’s a Beatle-esque breakdown in ‘Dark Days’ (the band released a Beatles cover on their EP last year) but, overall, little respite from the heavy rock onslaught. ‘Something Wicked’ sounds like something from the Lynch Mob songbook (perhaps unsurprisingly as Freeman sang with them). And in truth there may be a paucity of really killer tracks.

But, for a band that started out as a Dio tribute, we should salute this third album of original material as a particularly good and evocative example of the genre. ***1/2

Review by David Randall

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.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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 3 November 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 29 October 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 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)