WILD HORSES – Dead Ahead [reissue 2015]

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Among the reissues done by Z Records last week there’s “Dead Ahead” by WILD HORSES, easily one of the best hard rock albums appeared in 2003. The group released a very good hair metal album in the early Nineties but soon split up.
Then more than ten years after, the Wild Horses returned with this “Dead Ahead”, a more mature hard rocking oriented effort.

Wild Horses was some kind of a ‘supergroup’. The band (then and now) consisted of vocalist John Levesque (Shout), guitarist Rick Steier (Kingdom Come, Warrant), and drummer James Kottak (Kingdom Come, Scorpions, Warrant). The line-up for this record was completed with none other than Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner) at the bass guitar.
So expect high quality playing, but there’s more than that: crystal clear production and some memorable tunes.

On “Dead Ahead”, Wild Horses delivers a set of polished hard rock numbers with a strong bluesy foundation and lots of melody. All it’s pretty much like Cinderella minus Keifer’s raspy vocals, some ’80s Aerosmith and of course, Kingdom Come.
With opener “Can’t Get By” the band feels like Steven Tyler & Co circa Get A Grip era, plenty of swagger and hooks. “Ride On” continues in the same tradition only with Tesla influences this time.

Another quality cut is the Bad Company inspired “Vancouver Mover” with its groovy guitar work and wicked beat. “Rebel Road” is a really fine power ballad and for sure a winner in my book.
“What’s This Thing”, “California Freedom” and “Asphalt Ribbon Fever” are also stadium-ready hot rockers, most of them with a sing-a-long chorus at hand.

Yes, Wild Horses’ “Dead Ahead” is very good hard rock album which remains unheard by many fans of the genre.
Strong songs, great performances and crisp production, all very melodic & polished.
Kudos to Z Records for the reissue and make it available again.
Highly Recommended.

01 – Can’t Get By
02 – Ride On
03 – Live It And Give It
04 – Vancouver Mover
05 – What’s This Thing
06 – California Freedom
07 – Rebel Road
08 – When Will It End
09 – Never Goin’ Home
10 – Asphalt Ribbon Fever
11 – Cradle To The Grave

John Levesque (Shout) – vocals
Rick Steier (Kingdom Come, Warrant) – guitars
James Kottak (Kingdom Come, Scorpions, Warrant) – drums
Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner) – bass

BUY IT !
www.amazon.de/Dead-Ahead-Wild-Horses/dp/B013GWIBJA
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