BUCKCHERRY – Hellbound (2021)

BUCKCHERRY have at times suffered by comparison to the classic rock bands that came before them, but fortunately frontman Josh Todd doesn’t give a damn what ‘specialized critics’ think and those Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC and Aerosmith similarities still stand on their upcoming new album “Hellbound“.
It should be remembered that Buckcherry have done more than most to keep this music alive through often lean times. And, more than two decades after the release of their self-titled debut album, they still have a fire burning in their bellies.
There’s no better way to start, let’s face it, than with ‘5-4-3-2-1’ a song that announces loudly and proudly that Classic Rock is back and more importantly so is Buckcherry with a cracking new album made to be played loud.

This opening song is the sort of direct party rock hit with a dirty underside that the band are known for and sounds all the more awesome when you know that the single ‘So Hott’ is up next – a song in the vein of all of those sing along classics and one that gets more infectious the more you’re exposed.
The 10-track record was produced by expert Marti Frederiksen, who previously produced ‘Black Butterfly’, and co-wrote one of their biggest hits ‘Sorry’ – here he contributes even more – co-writing half the album with vocalist Josh Todd and guitarist Stevie D in a burst of condensed energy.

The title-track not only boasts an AC/DC-sized stomper of a riff, it is essentially the California band’s own version of Highway To Hell. Inspired by the time a 15-year-old Josh Todd played his first show at an Orange County house party and knew that rock’n’roll had its claws in him, ‘Hellbound’ recalls the start of a journey that’s still going strong today.
The Aerosmith-flavoured ‘Gun’ (a favourite of us) follows with a cast iron groove before the funkier and grittier ‘No More Lies’ has you gasping for breath. This really is relentless.

The second half of the record starts out with the angry, hard rocking ‘Here I Come’ just to make sure you’re not flagging and that shot of adrenaline is followed by ‘Junk’ which flows off the back of a huge riff and a chorus to make you jump, before the beautifully contrasting smoky midpaced ballad ‘No More Lies’ underlines the fact that Buckcherry always pulls out a killer slower number without fail. It’s a song that really catches the feel of the early albums and sports some killer lyrics to boot.
‘The Way’, the other semi-ballad on the album is arguably even more catchy and sees Todd wringing out all the emotion he can squeeze from it – it’s gonna rival some of the other slow moments over the years for many and Stevie pulls out ‘the solo’ of the album just to crown it.

And far too soon we’re left with one – closing track ‘Barricades’ a mature midtempo rocker that mixes it up nicely even infusing a reggae feel in the verse before a dramatic chorus and wonderful breakdown. It’s a song that has so much going on you’ll love each moment and again the guitars just sizzle. It’s often said I know, but this is a great way to close.

In the 21st Century that is filled with bands tipping to one extreme or another with 8 zillion different genres, it’s nice to see a band like Buckcherry stay the course and just play loud rock ‘n’ roll with the middle finger to life attitude. It seems these days it’s either cookie monster vocals or some poppy sappy watered down bullshit, Buckcherry proudly sticks their chest out and just flies that flag of classic rock.
This is Buckcherry like you love them, loud, sleazy and ready to Rock you off your feet.
Highly Recommended

01. 54321
02. So Hott
03. Hellbound
04. Gun
05. No More Lies
06. Here I Come
07. Junk
08. Wasting No More Time
09. The Way
10. Barricade

Josh Todd – lead vocals
Stevie D. – guitar, backing vocals
Billy Rowe – guitar, backing vocals
Kelly LeMieux – bass
Francis Ruiz – drums

Pre Order:
www.amazon.com/Hellbound-Buckcherry/dp/B09328FCVD