Preacher Stone – By The Horns – Album Review – oneillpr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Preacher Stone is a Southern/Classic Rock band from Charlotte, North Carolina, who originally formed in 2008 and rocketed to fame thanks to FX Networks’ Sons of Anarchy, which featured 2 tracks within the show. The boys have had the opportunity to share & headline with acts such as ZZ Top, Black Stone Cherry, Blackberry Smoke, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, Shooter Jennings, Lucinda Williams and many, many more. The boys have given us Preacher Stone in 2009, Uncle Buck’s Vittles in 2010, Paydirt in 2014, Remedy in 2016 & V in 2024. The boys have been busy in the studio getting ready to hit us with their brand new album, By The Horns. They dropped the singles Writing On The Wall and The Devil You Know, and they return to the UK in 2026 with a UK tour with rockers Revenant and take in venues like Cart & Horses in London & Planet Rock Winters End. Please join me as I take in the full blistering album from my boys from North Carolina.

By The Horns – The opening bruiser comes at us with a really solid, punchy rhythm section that hits us with a cool snare drum beat as the bass kicks leave their mark on this opening salvo. Ronnie leans in with his gravelly, blues-soaked vocals that really fit well with this crisp, rocking opener that just sets the scene as we roll forward with the boys. The full-on funking bassline drops in with a dark, brooding groove that instantly gives the track swagger and attitude. The cool twin guitar assault is a real treat as we get a sizzling, raspy solo that just kicks in the doors and really lets us know the boys are back and back with a bang, as this opening monster proves. The tone is sharp, punchy, and ballsy and has bags of attitude that really tells us that the boys mean business with this new album.

Saddled & Rode – A real sludgy, rasping guitar lick punches us straight in the face as the cool, funky groove flows freely through the intro as a funky, cool low end comes at us with real energy. The rhythm section is again front and centre as it elevates this slow-burning, crunchy, blues-infused rocker track as it really makes it pop. The roaring vocals are flowing effortlessly through this foot-stomping rocker as the boys shift through the gears and really sock it to us. The cool, slick guitar salvo really lifts the track as it gives it a real beefed-up groove as the boys dig deep and really tell their story with this crunching rocker that hits us with snare drum punches that just drive the sweet, melodic groover onwards. A meaty guitar solo wanders in and kicks our asses with its slick, dreamy licks that just put a smile on your face.

-riddledWriting On The Wall – The track kicks off with a real gritty, sludgy twin guitar riff that allows the rhythm section to kick in the doors and hit us with a pounding snare drum beat that gives us cool, deep bass kicks that let this track roar. The full on bassline hands us a real deep, meaty groove that wraps itself around this fantastic new offering, Ronnie leans in and gives us his gravelly, soulful vocals that fit the arrangement perfectly. The slick, crisp guitar solos really elevate this fist pumping, rock n roll bruiser that really grabs your attention and lets us know that Preacher Stone are firing on all cylinders, the foot stomping ditty is a real crowd pleaser as it gives us a real funky-feeling track that is soaked in a blues riddled melody that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure.

The Devil You Know – From the outset, you can tell these boys mean business as a full-on rhythm section leans in and delivers a pounding snare drum punch as the shredding twin guitar assault that just sets the tone for this foot-stomping bruiser. Ronnie brings his gravelly, blues-soaked vocals that work perfectly with this cool, rocking beat that is wrapped in a cool bassline that brings depth and groove with its delicious, dark, brooding tones that just let the track break free. The soaring guitar solo slips in and really lets us have it both barrels as this crunching, rocker track provides a funky, deep tone that we have come to know and love Preacher Stone for. The riffs are awesome, and we get a cool beat delivered by Wyatt as he controls the delivery of this killer follow-up beast that is sure to get us all worked up for the album when it drops upon us soon.

Blessing & A Curse – Cymbal rolls open the track as a real smooth, raspy vocal leads the charge as the acoustic strumming chords really let the track breathe as it unfolds into a real rocky ballad with soul. The low end comes through with a cool, meaty beat that allows the track to open and soar with ease as the boys have really brought their A-game with this awesome record that brings killer lyrics that just shine. The soulful guitar solo is just making the hairs on the back of my neck stand, and I can tell you it has taken an age for that to happen lol. The whole track is a real thought-provoking piece that gives you an insight into these boys and the amount of work that has gone into the making of the record.

Old Joe – We continue where we left off with a good ole guitar lick that oozes from the intro as the pounding rhythm section commands the room as this foot stomper grabs our attention. The cool, gravelly vocals are just letting the story unfold as the boys set about their business and give us a sludgy, blues rocker that just builds and builds with each musician as they deliver in truckloads with ease. The funky bassline is dropping in and hitting us with a real dark, brooding groove that runs smoothly alongside a sizzling guitar solo that comes at us with a real vengeful growl that is just awesome. The tone is a real hard-rocking affair that just builds with each track as the boys, like a fine wine, get better with age as we let them deliver a real custom groove that comes courtesy of North Carolina’s favourite sons.

The Last To Know – A foot stomping, gritty riff erupts from the off as the rhythm section comes through with a solid bass kick that lets the cymbal snaps lead the charge on this groover. The shredding, power-raging guitar riffs really grab our attention as this sludgy, punchy rocker leaves its mark on us. As the boys shift through the gears and really let this album dig its own path onwards, we get a slick, clean guitar lick that welcomes a full-on bouncy bassline that is hitting us with smooth, soulful tones that really give this track a cool, edgy feel. The vocals are a real gravelly, soulful vibe that slots into this crunching bruiser well as they bounce off each other and really deliver a fist-pumping, raw, edgy track that really lets you cut loose and feel the energy pouring through this awesome piece of music.

Come What May – A rough, growling rhythm section opens the track as Wyatt brings the heat for this mellow groover that tells us the boys had real fun making this solid slab of rock n roll that is a real pleasure to listen to. The melodic backing vocals really elevate the track as it eases through the beat that is pouring from the boys tonight; the crunching, galloping guitar riffs are loud, raw, in your face and really give the track a solid footing that is just awesome. A slick, clean solo erupts and is followed by a pounding drum beat that wraps itself around this monster album that really shakes its ass for all to see. We are getting a real dose of North Carolina blues rock that has been well presented and masterfully driven by this ragtagbunch of hooligans that I can proudly say are friends.

Think By Now – A real edgy, crunching guitar riff opens the track as the punchy rhythm section leans in as Wyatt makes himself known to us as this fist-pumping rock ‘n’ roller comes to life. The soaring gravelly, blues-soaked vocals are strong, defiant and really let the track breathe as Ronnie brings his heart and soul to this colossal 9-track juggernaut. The bassline is leaning in and hitting us with a real meaty groove that works so well with the arrangement as the boys finish off this bruising beast in style with slick, crisp solos that put a smile on your face as they dig deep and finish with a flourish as we feel the raw energy pulsing through the track as they deliver a really well-crafted, thought-provoking album that ticks all the boxes with ease.

Preacher Stone –

Ronnie Riddle – Vocals

Ben Robinson – Guit– Guitarar

Darrell Whitt – Guitar– Guitar

Jim Bolt – Bass’

Wyatt – Drums

Track Listing –

By The Horns

Saddled & Rode

Writing On The Wall

The Devil You Know

Blessing & A Curse