Album Review: Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – We’re the Bastards (Nuclear Blast)

Formed in the aftermath of Motörhead’s dissolution, following the death of Lemmy Kilmister in 2016, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons is led by one of the genre’s most respected guitarists and completed by his sons Todd (guitar), Tyla (bass) and Dane (drums) and powerhouse frontman Neil Starr.

The band has been going from strength to strength over the past few years. Their debut album, The Age Of Absurdity, in January 2018 was well received and live, they’ve always gone down a storm. Which brings us to 2020, November 13th to be exact, when their groups’ new album, We’re the Bastards will be released!

There are no surprises to be found here. What we get are 13 tracks of top-shelf hard rock music in the unmistakable Bastards way. Massive riffing, hard-hitting rhythms, fast-paced beats and more. It’s an album that delivers body-shaking and head-banging music.

Beginning with a bang and a proper sing-along in the form of the title track. As the band sing and no doubt, a live crowd will sing back… we’re the bastards! It’s an emboldening start and gets the rocking party started in the right way.

Things get really hyper with the following Son of A Gun where the bass rules and a later guitar solo reaches face-melting levels of speed. Although the one that appears in the lower-temp but groovy sounding, Promises are Poison is just as good.

It’s time for something with a bit of whiskey-soaked charm though with Born to Roam. Before the neck-breaking rocking speed comes back with some force on Animals and Bite my Tongue is a little slice of riff-heaven. Vocalist Neil Starr is on fire throughout but the former is a particular highlight of his smooth voice.

The aptly titled Desert Song, with its cool use of harmonica, has a hot sun baking the mind into oblivion. Although Keep Your Jacket On is the dash of cold water to the face to wake you up before Lie to Me gets heavy, while keeping the Bastard Sons’ grand guitar groove front and centre.

Crack out leathers and start your engines, Riding Straight to Hell is a filthy little number with a banging chorus. Hate Machine and Destroyed dials everything back up and sees the band finding energy reserves most may not have expected them to have, delivering a stonking slab of hard rock.

Which brings us to the end of an unsurprising, yet thoroughly enjoyable hard rock album. The Bastard Sons going out with a more mellow, melodic but chuggy effort in the form of Waves. Solid, seriously solid.

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – We’re the Bastards Full track Listing:

1. We’re The Bastards
2. Son Of A Gun
3. Promises Are Poison
4. Born To Roam
5. Animals
6. Bite My Tongue
7. Desert Song
8. Keep Your Jacket On
9. Lie To Me
10. Riding Straight To Hell
11. Hate Machine
12. Destroyed
13. Waves

Links

Website | Nuclear Blast