Lynch Mob: The Brotherhood

Releasing 8 studio albums across a 27 year period may not mark out Lynch Mob as a prolific outfit. However, with the main Mobster, George Lynch, always busy with collaborations and projects, as well as the occasional Dokken reunion, that The Brotherhood is the third album from the band in just under 4 years suggests that they are once again the guitarist's main focus. Now in his fifth stint alongside Lynch, singer Oni Logan may have come and gone on a regular basis, but this is his third straight album at the mic and his fourth in total. Therefore, for many he's the true voice of the Mob and often the reason whether they stand tall or not. With the pair now joined by drummer Jimmy D'Anda and veteran four-string man Sean McNabb (Dokken, House Of Lords, Quiet Riot, Great White and many more), if one thing's for sure and certain, it's that the rhythm section is in safe, sure and steady hands. Something that's borne out from start to finish across The Brotherhood. They also set the tone for the whole caboodle, Logan on top form and Lynch doing what he does best - building mighty groove laden riffs and interjecting signature solos that could come from no one else. As has often been the way for the fret-burner post his first stint in Dokken, he's also brought together a gently diverse selection that not only holds the interest but refuses to simply follow the paths you might expect. "Last Call Lady" for example is a slightly sleazier mix of Michael Monroe and Backyard Babies than you might anticipate, while "Black Mountain" combines some Zeppelin flavours to a slow Alice In Chains like march. Both are excellent illustrations of what makes this album as engaging as it is. Throw in the sort of enigmatic soloing you know Lynch is capable of and this becomes a real winner. Album opener, "Main Offender", begins proceedings in bullish style, one of the more Dokken like moments introducing things on a reassuring, if still hugely energetic note, while "Mr. Jekyll And Hyde" heads in a dirtier, in places almost progressive grunge, direction, while still containing the biting, staccato riffage Lynch specialises in.

With Logan also bringing his A-game, the Eastern flavoured "The Forgotten Maiden's Pearl" becomes a shimmer of classy vocals, hand percussion and refined acoustic guitar work, while "Dog Town Mystics" heightens that twisted mix of rock and metal with a classic solo era Ozzy like vocal. However, if it's something more straight up Lynch you're after, that's here too, "Until The Sky Comes Down" a classic mid-paced piece of riffola, while "I'll Take Miami" picks up a similar theme and infuses an almost Chickenfoot like devil may care attitude. Add in the beautiful swirl and sweep of "Miles Away", where the guitarist stretches out in the most restrained style and while all the bases are covered, the overall mood and feel somehow holds the differing collection of songs as one strong, cohesive whole.

Decidedly sloppy cover-art aside, The Brotherhood seldom sets a foot wrong. Finding, as it does, this band of brothers delivering a seriously strong, gently diverse, yet hugely hard hitting set of songs.

Track Listing
1. Main Offender
2. Mr. Jekyll And Hyde
3. I'll Take Miami
4. Last Call Lady
5. Where We Started
6. The Forgotten Maiden's Pearl
7. Until the Sky Comes Down
8. Black Heart Days
9. Black Mountain
10. Dog Town Mystics
11. Miles Away
12. Until I Get My Gold (bonus track)

Added: September 15th 2017
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: George Lynch online
Hits: 2969
Language: english

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