Black Swan – Paralyzed – Album Review – frontiersmusicsrl

Review By Darren McIntyre

Black Swan are an all- star collective featuring Robin McAuley(McAuley – Schenker Group), Reb Beach(Winger, Whitesnake), Jeff Pilson(Foreigner, The End Machine, ex Dokken), Matt Starr(Ace Frehley, Mr Big), the boys have been bringing the noise since 2019 when a conversation with Seafino Perugino & Jeff Pilson took place regarding getting a super – group together, the rest as they say is history. Since that day the boys have given us Shake The World, Generation Mind and on the 27th February the boys hit us with their new slab of rock n roll Paralyzed, from the new album we have been given The Fire & The Flame, If I Was King and Paralyzed. Today I have the pleasure of reviewing the whole album for you so please sit back, relax and grab a cold one as I work my way through this colossal slab of rock n roll.

When The Cold Wind Blows – We get a soaring guitar lick that builds the tension as this foot stomping beast rears it’s head and lets us feel the power flowing through this opening monster. The thundering rhythm section leans in and offloads with a punchy snare / bass kick that really tells us that the boys are back and ready to take on allcomers with this growling, melodic opener, the soaring, power tinged vocals from Robin really grab our attention as the boys dig deep and let us know that this is gonna be one hell of a record so be prepared. The dark, brooding bassline drops in and lets the meaty tones wrap themselves around this gritty beast as the slick, crisp galloping guitar licks really control the direction of this fantastic opening number that puts a smile on your face with it’s depth, swagger and bags of attitude that is oozing from every musician as they tell their own story with this thundering monster that just keeps on giving and giving.

Death Of Me – A sweet. melodic guitar riff wanders through the intro as the funky, meat laden bassline hits us with a real fist pumping groove that lets the track open and soar. The incredible, soulful vocals really let the track ease through the track and let the boys shift through the gears and let this bruiser cut loose, the boys sound like they really enjoyed making this fantastic slab of rock n roll as the crisp, rasping riffs really wrap themselves around this fist pumping arrangement as the groove grabs us and lets us feel the energy rolling through the mid section as Reb unleashes a sweet, classy solo that ripples through the track and gives us a sense of belief that they are just kicking back, telling their own story and letting us feel the fruits of their labour from the off. The melodic beast is just coming for us with all it has.

Different Kind Of Woman – A thundering rhythm kick rumbles through the intro as a snare / bass kick lets the groove build as the shredding guitar riffs get the energy pulsing as Robin leans in and offloads with his colossal, soulful, melodic vocals that just grab our attention as this incredible track leaves it’s mark on us from the off. The foot stomping energy driven rock n roller is really letting the boys tell their story, their way as this rasping beast builds and builds as we allow the soaring melodies wrap themselves around this pounding groove laden rock track. The crisp, clean, rippling guitar solo just builds and builds as Reb offloads with ease as the boys just kick in and let us feel the groove as it flows freely through this foot stomping bruiser that punches us straight in the face with it’s intense, melodic tones that are off the chain so good.

If I Was King – A gritty, dark, raspy riff eases through the intro as the cymbal snaps let the rhythm section kick this growling monster off as the snare kicks get the track off the ground. The galloping guitar fills are weaving their way through the track as the funky, dark bassline drops in and really lets the tone build as the soaring, incredible vocals really let this track breath, the rhythm section is building with a cool, punchy beat that lets us throw our fists in the air as this gritty beast kicks in the doors and brings depth, swagger and bags of attitude to this roaring arrangement that really grabs our attention as the boys dig deep and let their musicality drive this groover onwards. The swirling guitar solo is just blazing a trail through this awesome track as the crunching, gritty riffs really elevate the track somewhat as the tempo changes pace for a bit before Robin unleashes a towering, melodic vocals that just allows the track to breath.

Shakedown – The pounding rhythm section kicks things off with a real solid snare punch as the bass kicks wander freely through the intro and let this growling beast leave it’s mark. The soaring vocals really take the track off down the road as Robin sounds incredible and never sounded better in my honest opinion, the gritty riffs are weaving their way through the track as the boys deliver a well thought out monster album that is picking up where Generation Mind left off as the musicianship is really delivering a no nonsense, thundering slab of rock n roll that just lets the rhythm flow and let the boys dig deep and just be themselves as they gel together and hit us with hit after hit as this shuddering slab of rock n roll gets better and better with every track.

The Fire & The Flame – We kick off this blistering beast in usual fashion with a shredding power drenched guitar riff that lets the rhythm section bring the heart with it’s rousing drum beats. The soaring, melodic vocals of Robin McAuley kick in the doors and really let this track cut loose as the killer vocal tone just wraps itself around this monster track, the full on low end is dropping in with a dark, brooding, delicious funk element that just lets this track roar and really tell us that the boys are back with a bang as this foot stomping rock n roller gathers momentum and really lets us have it both barrels. The slick, crisp guitar solo sets this track on fire with it’s depth, energy and swagger that is coming for us with all it has, the tempo changes pace as the deep pounding bass kicks let the groove flow effortlessly as the boys dig deep and really sock it to us with this scorching monster track that picks up where the last two albums left off, full of grit, determination, musicality, swagger and plenty for us to shout about, this bad boy will have you reaching for the repeat button for sure.

I’m Ready – A classy, melodic guitar fill wanders through the intro as cool synth like tones flow into the track as this sludgy, punchy track unfolds as Robin leans in with his incredible vocals to let the track breath. The rhythm section is kicking things off with a solid snare / bass beat that lets the groove ease through the track as the boys hit us with a real fist pumping bruiser that is just on the money, the melodic, soulful vocals really wrap themselves around this dark, moody track as the boys take us in a different direction as the groove builds and builds as we feel the gritty, rasping punches grab our attention. This is a real sultry, gritty monster track that has depth, swagger and bags of attitude as the sweet, mellow bassline drops in and reallt hits us with a dark solid tone that works so well with the sizzling guitar licks that are pouring from the boys as we really dig this awesome new offering.

Paralyzed – Banging down the door comes a real raspy, shredding guitar riff that gets the juices flowing from the off as this banger instantly puts a smile on your face with it’s sheer intensity that comes for us. The rhythm section kicks in the doors with a real solid snare drum beat that lets this monster erupt and really let the boys off the leash as we get hooked on the insane groove that is flowing freely through this foot stomping bruiser, the soaring vocals instantly catch our attention as Robin brings a gritty, rasping tone that fits the arrangement perfectly as the boys shift through the gears and really hit us with all they have. The deep, pulsing, delicious bassline is wrapping itself around this fist pumping, rockin beast as the boys dig deep and give us a real barn – storming rock n roll classic that just ticks all the boxes. Reb comes front and centre and just shreds with sheer conviction as the licks melt our faces with it’s rawness, depth and swagger as the boys rip up the playbook with this absolute banger of a track that really grabs our attention as the boys just pick up where they left off with the last record, there is sure to be some raspers on the new record and I for one cannot wait.

Carry On – A slick, crisp galloping guitar riff erupts from the off as the thundering rhythm section kicks things off with a real solid snare / bass beat that gives the track a nice edgy tone. The soaring, raspy vocals really let the track cut loose as Robin does what he does best as the boys deliver another soaring beast of a track, the funky, dark bassline is hitting us with real sultry, delicious beats to get the juices flowing as this fist pumping monster weaves it’s way through this incredible track. The energy driven guitar solo really pops as the boys combine to deliver a classy, deep groove that just takes us one way then the next as we feel the musicality pouring from every musician as they put their heart and soul into this incredible slab of music that just gets better and better with every listen.

Battered & Bruised – A funky, melodic groove wanders through the opening intro as we get a raspy, melodic vocals that leads the charge in this foot stomping rock n roll monster. The crisp guitar licks are weaving their way through the record as the tempo gathers pace and allows the boys to just lay down their groove and let the music take over, the datk, meaty bassline is coming at us and really letting us feel the energy flowing freely through this solid laden rock n roll track that is really grabbing our attention for sure. The boys have just hit the jackpot with this soaring slab of music that tells us they are back and firing on all cylinders with this incredible album, the guitar work is sublime and the boys are just kicking ass.

What The Future Holds – A cool, sludgy bassline drops in and lets this bruiser cut loose as the boys deliver a killer groove laden end track that just pops with sheer musicality as we salute these 4 talismen. The mesmerising vocals are just weaving their way through this track as the rhythm section kicks in and offloads with snare punches that let the bass kicks take the track onwards as we feel the electricity oozing from a real sludgy, gritty rock n roll arrangement that seems like a perfect way to finish this barnstorming album that is just bubbling with slick, crisp guitar licks, incredible vocals that leave you awestruck and a cool funky bassline that delivers in truckloads and is finished with a stadium driven rhythm section that just kicks in the doors and tells it’s own story as the boys cement themselves with a colossal 3rd album that will deliver and then some.

Black Swan –

Robin McAuley – Vocals

Reb Beach – Guitar

Jeff Pilson – Bass

Matt Starr – Drums

Track Listing –

When The Cold Wind Blows

Death Of Me

Different Kind Of Woman

If I Was King

Shakedown

The Fire & The Flame