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LOVELL’S BLADE
Deadly Nightshade

No Dust (2022)
Rating: 8/10

Released on 1st April, this was certainly no Fool’s Day joke, Deadly Nightshade being the third offering from this heavy rock act formed by ex-members of cult Dutch act Picture.

Featuring Pete Lovell (vocals), Mike Ferguson and Andrew Wullems (guitars), Patrick Velis (bass) and Noel van Eersel (drums), this was always going to be a powerhouse of a record.

Opener ‘Running Out Of Time’ sets the tone with a warm, rich, almost cosy feel, evoking images of driving early to mid 80s rock. Lovell’s voice goes easy on the ears – clear yet commanding – and the band rumbles smoothly.

“Power rock” seems a good term to use, to quote the press release, and as the 11 tracks pan out we find ourselves immersed in an accessible yet swaggering opus – one so effortlessly created and masterful.

‘Drivin’ Me Crazy’ is a beast if a tune. It’s fiery, groove-based with hints of AC/DC in the rhythm, but always hard and soulful. Meanwhile, ‘Mystery’ is a steamy, sizzling semi-ballad, which again brings depth and soul. The instrumentation is always gloriously rich, so kudos to the production team for allowing each instrument to breath.

Other favourites are the pounding ‘It’s Not Criminal’ with its jabbing percussion, the almost thrashy ‘Kalashnikov’, the striding, anthemic ‘Distant Glow’, and the infectious ‘Dead Of Night’ which is almost glammy by design.

Lovell’s Blade are surprisingly flexible with styles, but the album always remains a hard rockin’ experience. It’s clearly a band that has earned its stripes, but the creative juices have certainly been flowing in the making of this superb platter.

Neil Arnold

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