DAMIAN WILSON – Built For Fighting (2016)

Released today September 9th “Built For Fighting” is the new CD from DAMIAN WILSON, his first solo album in more than 10 years.
Many of you know Damian Wilson as being the frontman of fantastic progressive metal bands such as Threshold and Headspace. Some of you might also be familiar with the fact that the singer is part of the acoustic Iron Maiden cover band Maiden UniteD, and maybe even less metalheads are aware of Wilson’s solo releases which show the Melodic Rock side of the charismatic singer.

Damian Wilson is one of the best singers on the planet. Wilson’s versatility and range, tone and timbre, are well suited for progressive rock & metal to the Melodic Rock / AOR sound of “Built For Fighting”. I’ve liked most everything that he’s been a part of, simply because I like listening to his voice. He has a natural melodic sweetness wrapped in inherent passion.

Wilson is also an exceptional songwriter. He writes songs that are dripping with melody, often defined by his voice, acoustic guitar, or piano. Also, his lyrics are usually intelligent and cogent, filled with meaning.
To the songs, as mentioned earlier, they are largely AOR / melodic rock, many times within a symphonic wrapper. The album has some variety and some shifts in character.
The first five songs are lighter fare dominated by the trio of the piano and acoustic guitar lines with Wilson’ voice. Yet, the lead track and first single ‘Thrill Me’ is a bit more spry and lively, coming off as attractive and radio-friendly power pop. Alternatively, ‘Fire’ turns almost entirely on voice and piano, wrapped in violin and cello. It’s a beautiful piece of music.

Halfway in, beginning with short, catchy and sexy ‘Sex & Vanilla’, Wilson and crew get their groove on again. The song is another punch of power pop / melodic rock. The following ‘Can’t Heal War’ is also a bit more heavy thanks to the sharp riffs.’ Written In Anger’, a song that seems almost autobiographical, becomes more dense and moody from the deeper bottom end, riffage, and generous orchestration.

‘All I Need’ returns you once more to the brisk riffs and groove of a power rock song.
In the end, the album winds down with two quieter songs, one of the te sweet ‘I Won’t Blame Life’. Wilson years touring in ‘Les Misérables’ must have helped in his skill in pouring his heart and soul into each song, none more so than on ‘Battlelines’. A song you can lose yourself in and heed its message.

Damian Wilson is a superb singer who writes exceptional melodic rock songs but with some ‘extra’ essence. His voice is terrific, the music delightful.
I would urge you to give this a listen if you haven’t already sampled the delights of Damian’s solo work.
Those who have already will need no encouraging and are in for a treat.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Thrill Me
02 – When I Was Young
03 – Impossible
04 – Fire
05 – Somebody
06 – Sex & Vanilla
07 – Can’t Heal War
08 – What Have We Done
09 – Written in Anger
10 – All I Need
11 – I Won’t Blame Life
12 – Battlelines

Damian Wilson – vocals, guitar
Bill Shanley (Ray Davies) – guitar
Lee Pomeroy (Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Headspace) – bass
Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath) – keys
Brian Willoughby (The Strawbs) – drums

BUY IT !
www.damian-wilson.net/BfF.php
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