The Killer Instinct

Written review will be different for each individuals musical preference, I myself found this recording excellent. In a world , now days, where "electronic" music is the norm. IT IS!, very pleasing to hear some real musicianship. I also liked the lyrical content of the songs. NOW!, the packaging of the cd was the same as I pack cd's for shipment. This definitely shows that the people at "The Niclel",...KNOW music! I will definitely check them out for future "sound sales", since I know my purchase will arrive without damage :) They package for safe transport. What they do is uncommon. When you buy yours...you'll be impressed with the packaging, you'll see! :)

While some of the songs sound a bit like from the first album (a lot of Hoodoo Voodoo opening riffs) the band has kept the drive and intensity going on the right direction. Their first two albums remind me of Iron Maiden's first two offerings, both BSR's first two albums could be combined into double LP's as they drive off each other.Killer Instinct will not disappoint as the boys continue with great harmonic reaches with the best twin guitar work and Jimmy DeGrasso has found his way in the band with solid perc.The band has established themselves with their own identity while keeping the Lizzy legend in the present. For their next album, BSR needs to pull away from their comfort zone; avoid becoming formulaic, something Lizzy could not be accused of. "Little Liar" is a great example of breaking through zone with great guitar work.Very good acoustic work on Bonus CD too, really impactful.Good job.

I must admit... Ever since seeing Thin lizzy back in the early '80's, I thought that nothing could hit this point again. We have had Damn Yankee's which were pretty Damn good. Chickenfoot is of course over the top. We are talking new, great Hard Rock. Joe Bonamassa. Pretty good, but full of himself. Yeah, Seen him... Walked out. Reno. Chickenfoot, Satriani, Hagar, Anthony... Is Crème de' la' Crème. Then tonight... Still listening... This is over the fu*king top!!! I saw Thin Lizzy in Reno in 2012. Incredible!!! My ears are still ringing! (Thank you Army). I just downloaded this CD and OMFG! it is something beyond special. If I could give this 6 stars, I would. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!

The best hard rock album Thin Lizzy never did. It rocks non stop, still listening to it after weeks of rotation in CD player and with 7,000 CD's to compete with and new CD's coming in every week that is saying something. Now sure what IT is but this CD has IT. Like trying to tell a stranger about rock and roll, listen to this CD then you will have the Rockin revelation I have here. If you don't like 70's Rock or Thin Lizzy and prefer pop techno or Rap you won't like this BUT if you like to hear great rock Led Zeppelin, Humble Pie and Black Foot you will like this.

My headline sums it up for me. The first BSR was a good solid rock album. Often a band suffers on their sophomore release, not here!This is a perfect record, not a dud on here. To me the production, and that special punch is clearly brought out on this masterpiece. That's what kicks this one up a notch.Both albums have great songwriting and quality musicianship.Ricky Warick is clearly the correct replacement vocalist for the great Phil Lynott as this is of course, an extension of the outstanding Thin Lizzy! 5 stars and potentially the greatest record of 2015!

I was pleasantly surprised at the high quality of this album. Ricky Warwick sounds great and the lyrics are better than average rock n roll drivel. Damon Johnson's guitar work is spot on and gives this recording the kick it needs to made it above average. Scott Gorham's guitar work adds that great rounded sound that you can't get from a one guitar band. I saw them play in May of 2014 when they were doing mostly Thin Lizzy tunes. I think this album will establish that they don't need to play the Lizzy tunes if they don't want too. Good Recording.

This isn't a bad album but doesn't measure up to the debut but that's my personal preference at play. I played the debut on a regular rotation for months and months. Comparing BSR to Thin LIzzy I would say this is closest in tone to to Bad Reputation while All Hell Breaks loose was closer to Jailbreak. I have the feeling they may continue on this path as Damon Johnson is the primary songwriter along with Ricky Warwick.... and Johnson's previous band Brother Cane definitely has that 70's Skynard hard rock vibe that was present in Lizzy's Bad Reputation - hopefully BSR doesn't end up going southern rock but we shall see. All of that being said I love the title track.

Wow, to be honest, I bought this album because I'm a huge Lizzy fan, and I wanted to support Scott Gorham's work. The reason I didn't expect much is the state of the industry. Most new albums from old bands stink. But this is a new band, with an Old guy that rocks. And the songwriting team does a wonderful job of reminding us of Lizzy, but with a fresh take. Phil is certainly proud of BSR, Gary Moore maybe too.

The sophomore BSR album is noticeably stronger than its predecessor 'All Hell Breaks Loose.' Although both are around the same length, this one somehow feels shorter, leaner like they've really trimmed the fat and streamlined the tracks this time.Comparisons to Thin Lizzy are an inevitability, and 'Killer Instinct' maintains, the 'slightly heavier Thin Lizzy' sound of the first album, but also, has more of a modern spin and an ever so slightly, heavier, almost 'metal' edge. The title track is a great example of this; typical Lizzy-esque dual guitar harmonies, a catchy chorus, groovy guitar-driven verse and a great solo.The production is flawless without being sterile. The big bonus of this CD is the excellent bonus disc. Rather than lazily slap together a few demos, that many bands do (who the hell wants to hear an inferior version of a song!?) the bonus disc features two cut tracks, (which seem to actually been left out more out of a continuity or 'feel' aspect rather than being inferior products for a change) and 4 acoustic reworking of the 'proper' albums' songs. Great!

2015 has been a good years for rock albums, BSR have pulled a blinder with this one. Somehow they have managed to keep a Thin Lizzy feel to their own unique sound, and that's a big task. Ricky Warrick again proves himself a singer Phil Lynott would be proud to have taking his role in the natural Lizzy successor. Catchy hooks galore, and strong choruses, with all the tricks you expect from such a line up, make this an album with enough song variation to keep you interested. It's got a broad appeal, and even many people not so rock orientated will love this album. Got to see them live recently, the show was all I could ask for. Somehow there is an interesting mix of classic and modern rock, which works extremely well. Glad I bought this album, will recommend to anyone.

class second CD from black star riders. bought this pre-ordered from Amazon UK. very impressive. you can see black star riders are a headlining act after only there second CD. just buy you cant go wrong buying the killer instinct. touches here and there of thin lizzy but they are no covers band, and they have enough talent in the band to last a lifetime. what more can i say brilliant band the musics high power octane all the way.

Fantastic follow-up to their first excellent album. I will be off to see them as soon as I can. No weak tracks or fillers. The bonus cd is equally brilliant. If you like classic / hard rock with intelligent lyrics, riffs, great songs, you will like this. Highlights - pretty much the whole album but to avoid sitting on the fence Bullet Blues and The Reckoning day (bonus cd). Great production!! Brilliant. There - never mentioned you know what and you know who :))

This is a VINYL review and no doubt put in the General section for release.......BUT....great band and great album but don't expect a less compressed sound on vinyl cos you won't get it. Production will not change that. But lovely getting it on Vinyl for that Artwork. She can mount my bomb anytime. Lol