Review: Adrian Smith/Richie Kotzen – Black Light/White Noise
Adrian Smith/Richie Kotzen – Black Light/White Noise
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: BMG
Release: 2025
Text: Martien Koolen
Adrian Smith (Psycho Motel, Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs) recently released their second album ‘Black Light/White Noise’ and the ten new songs, rooted in hard rock and blues, present a dynamic and versatile collection indeed.
The two lead singles of the album, Black Light and White Noise set the tone for this wonderful album. White Noise is pure hard rock, packed with soaring guitar solos, while Black Light sounds groovier with blues-drenched guitar riffs galore. Vocally these two rock veterans go so well together and the guitar playing from both is at the top of their game for sure, so what is not to like on this album?
Opening track Muddy Water is a bluesy rock song par excellence and Darkside is a wonderful mix of Southern rock and Texas SRV blues, featuring some “nasty” guitar passages. Life Unchained, one of the highlights, offers a couple of nice twists and turns and the lead guitar parts of Adrian and Richie are a treat for your ears indeed.
Another song where the lead guitars steel the show is called Outlaw and here both guitarists highlight their more than excellent and exciting guitar picking. Finally, Beyond The Pale, the longest song of the album, is a more relaxed and wonderful way to end this album in style. Smith and Kotzen share the vocals and guitars here again perfectly, reminding me of classic blues rock bands like Cream and Humble Pie.
In other words, this album is a MUST for fans of both guitar players, but also for fans of Mr. Big, The Winery Dogs, Jimi Hendrix, Thin Lizzy, and Deep Purple, as ‘Black Light/White Noise’ is ambitious, packed with atmosphere and utterly brilliant indeed. Play it LOUD, please! Listening tip: Darkside.
Tracks:
01. Muddy Water
02. White Noise
03. Black Light
04. Darkside
05. Life Unchained
06. Blindsided
07. Wraith
08. Heavy Weather
09. Outlaw
10. Beyond The Pale