Provogue [Release date 31.01.25]

Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado is a soulful Danish blues-rock octet who rarely disappoint.

Known for their powerhouse and entertaining shows, what makes the band different is their eclecticism, which stretches the blues template to the limit.

They indulge themselves in a big screen style musical joruney which draws on every facet of the blues and ties it all together with a soulful heft that marks them out as special.

‘House of Sticks’ is their 9th studio album and 14th in all, and remarkably it still breaks new ground.

Sure there are familiar elemental grooves, powerful horns, flinty dynamics and Risager’s own double-shot of meaningful songs and a weathered expressive voice, but it’s the band’s evolving musical canvas – always in support of the song – which continues to impress.

It was back in 2007 when I first heard the sheer frisson of‘All I Want’.

7 years later, they seemed to have transformed that raw energy into their own art, on tracks like the red raw ‘Through The Tears’, the Americana husk of ‘Too Many Roads’ and the ethereal magnificence of ‘Long Forgotten Track’.

What a delight then, to discover that ‘House of Sticks’ sounds like a band still immersed in their craft and chipping away at the blues stone to carve out their own niche.

More than that, they now have the ability to pen radio friendly songs with an earthy undertow. Risager’s precise phrasing always taps into the emotions of a song, frequently leaving the listener wanting more.

Listen to the funky groove of ‘Inner Light’ on which he hovers over a subtle groove, as if lazily pouring cream on a bowl of peaches.

He twists the song inside out to facilitate the seamless shift from the opening introspection to the more optimistic and uplifting horn-laden chorus.

In short, the band is a composite and not merely a support to the singer.

The title track acts as a confirmation of the above, on a perfect introduction to an album that has many musical styles to enjoy.

The brooding down-home Delta style opening is full of portentous piano chords and a contemporary layered electro sound, filled with with raspy horn stabs and lush cymbal splashes.

It’s almost as if the band slowly pulls back the curtain to reveal a glimpse of who they really are.

Additional piano embellishments add a sense of tension and restrained cool, which is finally ripped asunder by the following percussive groove of ‘Already Gone’.

The poised radio friendly ballad ‘Light Of Your Love’ features a polished horn arranagement, while the heartfelt ‘We’ll Get By’ could be 70’s Van Morrison.

By contrast, the urgent synth pulse, percussive handclaps and rhythmically strong ‘Long Time Ago’, is a signature song that anchors the rest of a delightful exploratory album.

The key to the success of ‘House of Sticks’ is the way it balances the electro production with the band’s natural vivacity, as evidenced by soulful ballad of ‘Said I Was Hurt’ and the more melodically expansive ‘Out Of The Rain’.

The latter builds a palpable tension, resolved by a tremulous guitar which rips into the finale of the track like water bursting through a dam.

The steam-train rhythm and vocal stacked ‘Climbed A Mountain’ is another outstanding track, on which Risager’s coal furnace phrasing bolsters the song, before an avalanche of harmony vocals, and tremolo guitar.

Everything flows mellifluously on 9 songs that explore bluster, reflective lyrics and intuive band interplay, on an album that warrants repeat listens.

The closing Hawaian sounding slide guitar of ‘Fine Summer Night’ gives the album a meditative Zen like finish, the perfect spiritual metaphor perhaps, for a band that is happiest when contemplating the possibilities of more great music. ****

Review by Pete Feenstra

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

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 2 March 2025.

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 on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 24 March 2025

HARRI LARKIN Too Close To The Sun (Robot Distro)
SANDNESS Not Your Dog (Rockshots Records)
DOCTOR BLACK Drag Me Down (indie)
COHEED AND CAMBRIA Goodbye Sunshine (Virgin Music Group)
LEONI JANE KENNEDY Closer (indie)
SMALL TOWN POLITICS Red Lights (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 24 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.