Turn it up loud for Darkfighter with its raw energy and hard rock bluesy sound soars to greatness when you play it at rocking volume levels. Trust me on this, something was missing upon the first listen but as soon as I turned the volume up, the album’s intent and overall presentation became immediately apparent; a clarity that results in Darkfighter being one of the best releases in 2023.
Darkfighter will appeal to fans and newcomers alike but Darkfighter is not Feral Roots. Nor is it Hollow Bones. It’s the culmination of all their previous albums meaning that Darkfighter is an evolution; one that is so well done that I can’t help but form correlations to the artistry of Led Zeppelin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bad Company et al. Importantly, however, Rival Sons are anything but a cover band. They’re not even imitators. They have a unique style and while nostalgic, for those of us who appreciate the classic artists of yesteryear, Rival Sons is ensuring that classic-styled rock and roll remains alive in the modern zeitgeist.
Of course, to reach classic status one can’t simply rely on the music as it’s the overall presentation that results in an album being instantly iconic. Yes, streaming music has spoilt us for we no longer need to consider the album artwork prior to, or while, listening. It’s almost a lost element in music appreciation for album artwork used to be the doorway to finding something new and interesting. Yes, there are numerous examples where the music didn’t live up to the artwork but this release is certainly not one of them as the audible and visual components offer the perfect complementary counterpart to each other.
Naturally, the music is the most important element and with that in mind, the eight tracks of Darkfighter blend classic rock elements with a modern and addictive twist. The result, as we’ll find out, is a captivating listening experience full of hard-hitting guitar riffs, groovy bass lines, and infectious rhythms with some of the very best vocals you’re likely to hear this century.
Mirrors opens the album epically. The choral-style instrumental opening ensures the senses are warmed up and ready to rock for the classic rock and roll style, with Jay Buchanan’s soaring vocals, will instantly appeal to rockers the world over. On Mirrors you’ll hear a little influence from Led Zeppelin, with a touch of Soundgarden, but don’t let that deter you for it is nothing more than a subjective correlation as Rival Sons are simultaneously peerless; particularly in the modern era.
Nobody Wants To Die is a hard-hitting rocker. While the guitar solo is what air guitar dreams are made of, it is the exceptional bass and drum rhythm throughout that will impress.
Bird In The Hand shifts the tempo, somewhat, but your soul immediately matches the rhythm and the distortion applied throughout Bird In The Hand is perfect. Bird In The Hand may not be the quintessential stadium-filling tune, but I desperately want to hear it in that setting for the jamming live expansion that Rival Sons could bring to the table on this song, I feel, would be nothing short of amazing.
Bright Light is magnificent and is captivating from the very first note. As the introduction builds and the rest of the band enters the mix, Buchanan’s vocal intertwines perfectly with the overall rhythm ensuring that Bright Light is one of the best songs from the album. It’s also a standout within their growing catalogue, as well as being one of the best songs of, at least, the last decade. Classic rock and roll never died, it just held its breath until Rival Sons arrived on the scene.
Rapture is a modern masterpiece! The electronic distorted guitars, mixed with the acoustic, and the rhythmic background ensure that Buchanan is once again highlighted and his performance is simply incredible. Just listen to how he holds his notes throughout the chorus. What an incredible vocalist!
Guillotine is one of my favourite songs on the album, primarily because of the chorus. Poetic is the best way to describe it and while I don’t normally listen to music for literal interpretation, this one is contemplative and you’ll find yourself singing along as you ponder life. Yes, sonically, Guillotine is all over the place, but that simply adds to the complexities of the song and it works surprisingly well.
Horses Breath seamlessly transitions from Guillotine but the introduction is too drawn out. If you were to listen to this song on repeat, or via a playlist, the introduction would likely generate frustration. Similarly, the outro, while more succinct, shifts the flow of the song and the sequencing of the record. It’s a shame considering Horses Breath is a standout tune on an otherwise perfect album.
Darkside is a beautiful closer and is the perfect bookend to Darkfighter. While the musicality is off-the-charts, it really is Buchanan’s vocal performance here, and throughout the entire album, that will compel you to listen to the record on repeat. Even if you don’t, Darkfighter is such an incredible modern rock masterpiece that it will stay with you until you’re ready to experience history again, for this album will stand the test of time and will be highly revered for decades to come.
Darkfighter successfully combines classic rock influences with a modern touch, resulting in a captivating and diverse collection of songs. The musicianship is top-notch, and Jay Buchanan's vocals are as impressive as any of the greatest vocalists from the rock and roll genre. Subsequently, fans of rock music, from any era, will find much to enjoy when listening to this modern classic.