Blacklist Union – Slay The Dragon – Album Review – kickdown the doors pr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Blacklist Union are a 5 – piece juggernaut rock n roll band originally formed in 2004 in Tony West Grew up in the Bronx but he now resides in Los Angeles, California. The boys brought us After The Morning in 2006, Breaking Bread With The Devil in 2008, Till Death Do Us Part in 2012, Back To Momo in 2015 & Letters From The Pscyh Ward in 2023, the boys are back and rearing to go with new album Slay The Dragon which dropped on the 12th September, I reviewed the first single Up In Smoke way back in July. I now have the pleasure of bringing you the full album so please settle down, grab a cold on and get ready to have your face melted by these LA Rockers.

Mississippi – Moon Hound – A mix of acoustic strumming and crisp, rasping riffs get this mofo off the ground as the pounding rhythm section controls the groove from the outset. The rasping vocals take the track onwards as the deep, funky lowend really drops a sweet, melodic groove that really elevates the track with it’s intense lyrics that really grab your attention, the shredding guitar riffs are fast, furious, bring swagger to this foot stomping rock n roll bruiser as the boys come together and really kick in the doors(see what I did there) as they deliver a real crunching, grungy, rocking beast that brings in slick riffs, colossal melodies and a real fist pumping beat that will have us reaching for the repeat button and this is only track 1, so let’s continue this epic journey with this awesome outfit.

Up In Smoke – We get a pounding bass kick before the rhythm section erupts with a furious double beat that brings in a solid snare drum beat that really lets this track open up and go. The cool melodic vocals are flowing effortlessly through the track as a shredding, power drenched guitar riff fills the air as this bad boy rrears it’s head as we feel the foot stomping groove wrap itself around us, the killer bassline is handing us a cool. dark, brooding funk groove that just lets this track kick in the doors(see what I did there). The melodies are just insane as Tony & the boys give us what we came for – a cool shredding classy monster track that just ticks all the boxes as we feel the energy punch us straight in the face as the boys drop the hammer and take this killer track onwards and upwards, the track has a real 80’s feel to it that makes it that little bit more special, look out for the new album dropping soon.

Can You Heal Me – The theme continues with a real dirty, gritty guitar lick that lets this track breathe as the boys gel together and really give us what we came for in this sleazy rocking beast that just keeps on giving. The rhythm section is handing us real solid snare drum punches as the bass kicks let the groove flow as this dark, melodic number grabs our attention and just slaps us around the face, the boys have given us a well thought out record that is heavier, grittier, dirtier and brings swagger by the truckload let me tell you. The gravelly vocals are wrapping themselves around this dark, moody track that is just building and building as the boys settle into their stride and give us a real punchy, groove laden slab of rock n roll that is just swirling around your head as the groove grabs a hold of us and won’t let go.

Dyin 4 U -A slick,punchy snare drum beat lets this track come to life as the soulful, dark vocals lead this track off down the road as the boys bring us a real rocking ballad track that just brings a smile to your face, the low end drops in and hits us with a real gutsy groove that just melts all over this awesome arrangement. The boys have really poured their heart and soul into this record and you can tell as it comes at us heavier, darker and with more bite which is just on the money. The twin guitar assault really adds depth to the record as we feel the energy oozing from the boys as they leave us wanting more as this foot stomper builds and builds and just lets us feel the hunger oozing from the boys.

Do It For The Song – A slick, dark,brooding guitar riff erupts from the off as the pounding rhythm section controls the beat of this gritty rocker track that just emphasizes the depth of the music oozing from this band. The low end is hitting us with a real dark, delicious groove that wraps itself around this foot stomping monster as we feel the energy pulsing from every musician as they bring the blood, sweat and tears to this most excellent record. The vocals are adding depth to the tune as they flow effortlessly through the arrangement as the boys dig deep and really deliver slick, crisp riffs that just let the track breathe, the melodies are strong and hold the track together as the boys really bring us something to be proud of as it’s a real banger of a record that will soar once it’s out there in the world.

Free At Last – A real sludgy, dark, gritty guitar riff opens the track as the punchy bass kicks let the track come to life as the snare drum punches fill the air as this groover comes at us. The boys have gone deep into their souls to bring us this swashbuckling record that takes us one way then the next as we just soak up the groove pouring from the boys as they deliver something special, this is a well thought out piece of music that just lets us think of their process as they dive deep into their emotional state and just give us their best straight from the heart. The low end is handing us a real funky, deep, dark groove that fits the arrangement perfectly as we just lose ourselves in the composition.

All Hail The King – The track explodes right out the gate as this fast, furious rocker track brings the heat as the thundering rhythm section leans in and brings the heat with it’s pounding snare drum beats that let the cymbal crashes rain down on us. The funking bassline is coming through and really giving us a full on dark, delicious tone that just elevates the track as we allow the vocals to wrap themselves around this awesome beast as the boys just go through the gears and let their juggernaut roll over everything in it’s path.The dark, soulful vocals lead the track as they let us feel the emotion oozing from the boys as they just let this piece wash over us and really deliver a foot stomping, well thought out piece that is just letting the boys tell their own story with this impressive record.

Horns & Halos – Sweet, clean guitar picks flow through the intro as this fast, punchy number opens and really comes at us with all it has as the bass kicks control the groove as it ewinds up to bring us a real rasping bruiser. The twin guitar riffs are strong, raspy and give the track depth as the punchy ballad style track gathers momentum as the boys take us on a journey with them as they go from strengh to strength. The musicality in this album is just top drawer as we feel the sweat that has gone into bringing this record to the fans as we revel in the swagger that is oozing from each member. The snare drum punches are giving us a strong, well arranged piece that just keeps coming and coming.

Hey Mr Superstar – Mellow guitar picks flow through the intro as the second guitar provides the rhythm as the punchy sna re drum beats let the track open and come at us. The real gravelly vocals compliment this track perfectly as the boys are going through the gears and really hitting the spot as the groove just builds and builds as the boys just deliver a colossal slab of music that ticks all the boxes with it’s cool grooves and funky low end tones that allow us to feel the thought process as the boys tell their story and then some. There is a real thread flowing through this track that really makes you stop and feel the energy, emotion oozing from the boys as this is a real sonic flow through the ages.

Rock n Roll Soldier – A cool mellow haunting intro lets the track compose itself as we get a cool rhythm section that combines snare / bass punches that really give the track some direction. The soulful, melodic vocals are flowing effortlessly through the track as the boys change direction with this fantastic offering that just plays havoc with your senses. The twin guitar assault really lets the track flow as the gritty riffs really give it some push as the low end drops in with sweet, funky tones that let the track breathe, the haunting theme rolling through the track is just incredible as we feel every lyric that is pouring from the boys as a slick, crisp guitar solo is unleashed and just gives the track depth, soul and attitude.

X Marks The Spot – The guitar licks are coming at us as the snare drum punches combine with a hard, deep bass kick that lets the cymbal crashes rain down on us. The soaring, melosic, soulful vocals really let the track build as they wrap themselves around this crunching, gritty riff that is coming through the arrangement, the boys have really given this album some thought as we are taken one way then another as the lyrics tell their own story as the band really came through on the gritty, gravelly rock n roll monster that is filled with emotion, swagger, reality and just good ol grooves that really put a smile on your face as this crunching piece punches us straight in the face with it’s intense, thought driven melodies that really give it some backbone.

Slay The Dragon – A cool, melodic stringed section allows the track to come to life as the bassline drops in and really hits us with a funky, deep tone that is just awesome. The rhythm section kicks in the doors with it’s driving grooves, punchy bass kicks and sweet cymbal snaps that just let the track come at us, the vocals are giving the track something to think about as they bring a soulful, mellow tone that is the perfect way to end a real deep, impressive slab of music that has everything and then some. The cool haunting stringed section is adding real tone to the track as we bring to an end a real colossal record that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure as you will not be able to get the melodies out of your head let me tell you.

Blacklist Union –

Tony West – Lead Vocals

Raf Ransom – Lead Guitar

Dee Hayes – Rhythm Guitar

Larry Harwood – Bass

Justin Perez – Drums

Tracklisting –

Mississippi Moonhound

Up In Smoke

Can You Heal Me

Dyin 4 U

Do It For The Song