Whitesnake – Flesh & Blood (Review)
Artist: Whitesnake
Album: Flesh & Blood
Genre: Hard Rock / Classic Metal
Label: Frontiers Music Srl.
Release Date: May 10, 2019
Review By: Bobby Caughron
Review:
It seems like it’s been an incredibly long wait for an album of new material from Whitesnake. While their last release 2015’s “The Purple Album” wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, it also felt more like a David Coverdale solo album, with David paying homage to his past with the almighty Deep Purple.
Flash forward four years and Whitesnake has blasted back into action with an incredible new album called“Flesh & Blood”. When I heard the first single “Shut Up And Kiss Me”, I was intrigued. It was only after hearing “Trouble Is Your Middle Name” did I start to realize that not only is this album going to be something special, but after a full listening, it became apparent that this was going to rank among the band’s classic albums like 1987’s “Whitesnake” and 1989’s “Slip Of The Tongue”.
The album starts out with a massive riff that leads into “Good To See You Again”. It has some really nasty and down and dirty blues-based slide guitar, which reminds me of the “Slide It In” era. You have to give Coverdale credit. Whitesnake has had quite a few lineup changes over the years, but remarkably, the band still maintains a pretty consistent and recognizable sound. Reb Beach really gets a chance to shine on this album with some amazing solos and fiery riffs that bring the classic sound of Whitesnake back to the masses. The guitar tandem of Beach and Joel Hoekstra seems to work really well throughout the entire album. Of course, having a classic drummer like Tommy Aldridge at the helm doesn’t hurt either. Some of Tommy’s drum fills from the 80’s Whitesnake albums are still burned into my memory and that style is still prevalent on “Flesh & Blood”. Rounding out the rhythm section is Michael Devin, who provides an excellent heavy end bass to keep everything balanced nicely. While a lot has been said about David Coverdale‘s voice over the years, I have to say that it sounds pretty good here, especially considering how many years that he has been wailing and screaming. It’s amazing that his vocal cords aren’t completely destroyed by now. Coverdale still manages to hit some high screams on this albums and the changes to his voice over the years only make it more fitting for that gritty blues-rock sound that’s made Whitesnake a household name.
“Flesh & Blood” seems like a real return to form for Whitesnake. This album will be definitely be included on many people’s list for the best hard rock album of 2019, and rightfully so. If you’re looking for that album that brings back a lot of memories and reminds you of why you became a rock fan in the first place, Whitesnake’s “Flesh & Blood” is the answer. It’s a truly outstanding album, that proves once and for all, that rock n’ roll is not only still alive but can be a dominant force in music again.
Track Listing:
1. Good To See You Again
2. Gonna Be Alright
3. Shut Up & Kiss Me
4. Hey You (You Make Me Rock)
5. Always & Forever
6. When I Think Of You (Color Me Blue)
7. Trouble Is Your Middle Name
8. Flesh & Blood
9. Well I Never
10. Heart Of Stone
11. Get Up
12. After All
13. Sands Of Time
Bonus Tracks Appearing on CD+DVD Deluxe Edition and Digital Version:
14. Can’t Do Right For Doing Wrong (Bonus Track – New Studio Song)
15. If I Can’t Have You (Bonus Track – New Studio Song)
16. Gonna Be Alright (X-Tendo Mix) – DVD Audio Track
17. Sands Of Time (Radio Mix) – DVD Audio Track
18. Shut Up And Kiss Me (Video Mix) – DVD Audio Track
Band Members:
David Coverdale: Vocals
Reb Beach: Guitar
Joel Hoekstra: Guitar
Michael Devin: Bass
Tommy Aldridge: Drums
Michele Luppi: keyboards.