RSS Feed


JETTBLACK
Black Gold

Spinefarm (2013)
Rating: 7/10

Jettblack is a UK melodic rock band from High Wycombe, England. They’ve released two studio albums and Black Gold is a compilation of rare tracks, a re-worked song and previously unreleased material.

The outing opens with a new edited version of ‘Black Gold’ which is a smouldering plodder featuring Damon Johnson of Black Star Riders. For those of you who’ve not heard Jettblack previously, their sound can best be described as solid traditional rock. Completely bereft of frills, Jettblack are more interested in writing extremely good, hardy rock songs, and ‘Black Gold’ is one of those simmering gems that feature a potent drum plod courtesy of Matt Oliver.

Jettblack have always been an accomplished unit, bolstered by those soulful vocals from Will Stapleton, and his strong guitar sound alongside fellow six-stringer John Dow, and that stabbing bass from Tom Wright. Wright especially comes into his own on the driving ‘Feel The Love’, which also features Deep Purple legend Ian Paice.

The band may have a traditional feel to their music but Jettblack refuse to sound dated, with the rip-roaring ‘Weapon’ combining temporary dynamics with an old school flavour. The same can also be said for the reflective ‘Fade Away’.

Jettblack have an edge to their sound which will no doubt give them an advantage over more mediocre bands, but the fun is injected into this opus with the three cover versions. AC/DC’s ‘Let Me Put My Love Into You’ is more of a moody chug; clearly not in the league of the original, this is still a riveting alternative where Stapleton really shines, opting for a raucous wail instead of merely aping the talents of Brian Johnson. The same can also be said for the juddering covers of Heart’s classic ‘Barracuda’ and Motörhead’s ‘Name In Vain’.

Elsewhere, the band lightens the mood with a batch of classy acoustic takes, the first being the previously unreleased ‘Red Horizon’. However, the best of the bunch is the stirring ‘War Between Us’, with its soulful, “I’m gonna sweet talk you into submission, sweet talk my way to your heart”, lyric. It’s extremely catchy in its riff and blissfully mellow, and yet offers a meatier rhythm section. ‘Red Horizon’ is my favourite track on the album, but fans will also love the twanging glory of ‘Not Even Love’, the gorgeous strut of ‘Sunshine’ and the stormier ‘Prison Of Love’.

There’s nothing in Jettblack’s sound that suggests a band able to take on the world, but Black Gold is evidence that Britain can still produce musicians of great talent and, more importantly, soul. There’s enough variety to please metalheads and melodic rock fans alike on this one, so grab yourself a copy.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share