TROY REDFERN – The Wings of Salvation (2022)
TROY REDFERN is an innovative and entertaining blues/rock artist from UK who has been making waves for a while now. His new album “The Wings of Salvation” highlights Redfern’s powerfully edgy vocal delivery, condensed songwriting skills, tight arrangements, complimented by his trademark “firebrand” guitar playing.
Produced by Dave Marks (Hans Zimmer) at the UK’s Dulcitone Studios, he and Troy wanted an old school aesthetic for this album – no studio fixes, no autotune, no drum editing or samples – real rock n’ roll with only complete takes, no chopping up parts in post-production.
Mastering is an important part of making a great sounding record, so they did it at Abbey Road Studios with Sean Magee, which credentials include the Beatles, Deep Purple, Rush, and Iron Maiden.
Troy kicks off the record with the pumped-up rocker “Gasoline” and you can tell right away that the choice to emphasize his vocal and songwriting skills was the right one to make. It has a big slide riff, a two-story verse, and a high-flying chorus hook. The atmospheric breakdown in the middle is a sweet treat that leads to the first of many quality guitar solos on the album. The song never gets dull or stops for air and each bit of it connects perfectly with the rest. You’ll be singing along before it ends.
“Sweet Carolina” is another next-level new song from Redfern. It’s the kind of hip-shaking power boogie that filled stadiums back in the day, complete with a long guitar break and one of the best chorus hooks of the year. This is a good-time rock ‘n’ roll tune, echoes of T-Rex and The Stones reverberate across the track with a passionate homage to glam rock.
Backed by producer Marks on bass, piano, keyboards, percussion, additional guitars, backing vocals, and Paul Stewart on drums, Redfern is unstoppable.
“Come On” is a stomping jam that connects the dots between roots blues and vintage hard rock. Troy delivers the vocal with furor and fever and hits his guitar just as hard. His guitar tone is immense and anchors the tune for the rest of the band. The vocal hook in the chorus is once more worthy of global airplay and will stay with you all day.
One of the best cuts presented on The Wings of Salvation is the minor key, roots noir epic “Dark Religion.” It’s a dramatic, suspenseful track that vibes like a late-night thriller, demanding you stay up to see the end. Redfern’s vocals are especially effective here, as is the ghostly environment his slide work creates. It’s a deep cut but you’re going to want to stick around for it.
Be sure to also investigate “Mercy” and “Profane.”
A consistent listen across its duration, Redfern’s “The Wings of Salvation” is plenty of deadly guitar, evocative vocals, and no-nonsense attitude emphatically capturing the authentic sound of old-school Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Highly Recommended
01 – Gasoline
02 – Sweet Carolina
03 – Come On
04 – Navajo
05 – Mercy
06 – Can’t Let Go
07 – Dark Religion
08 – Profane
09 – Down
10 – Heart & Soul
11 – It Ain’t Easy
12 – Tonight
Troy Redfern – Vocals / Guitars
Dave Marks – Bass / Keyboards / Percussion
Paul Stewart – Drums
Pre order:
troyredfern.com/shop/cd-albums/the-wings-of-salvation-cd-album-pre-order/
