RICKY WARWICK (Black Star Riders / Thin Lizzy) – Blood Ties (2025) *HQ*

If there’s a harder-working man in rock ‘n’ roll than RICKY WARWICK, no one’s sure who it is. Alongside his work with Black Star Riders, The Almighty, and sometimes Thin Lizzy, he’s had a solo career spanning well over 20 years.
For those of us that grew up on great classic rock where every unturned stone contained yet another artist brimming with talent, musicianship and most importantly an ear for a tune, this is what we were talking about.
Modern bands should take note because every one of the 11 tracks on RICKY WARWICK’s upcoming album “Blood Ties” sinks deep into the brain and doesn’t become disposable some two months later. An essential purchase for those modern classic rock acts who want to see how it’s done.

With the likes of The Cult’s Billy Duffy, Lita Ford and Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr as guests, “Blood Ties” sounds timeless, Seventies, Eighties, Nineties – all eras of true rock n’ roll is here.
Opener “Angels of Desolation” has what we might call the archetypal Warwick sound—a chugging rocker with Black Star Riders vibes. “Rise and Grind”, though, despite having the right ingredients, is the kind of track that wouldn’t fit with BSR. Its crunch, its groove, and its cameo from Starr make it something special.
“Don’t Leave in the Dark” could have come straight off his early solo albums—absolutely supreme troubadour stuff. Think Springsteen or Mellencamp at their most bombastic. And a word, too, for Lita Ford, who channels a Lucinda Williams vibe beautifully.
But here’s the crux of it: one thing binds all of Warwick’s work together—his brilliance. No one comes close when he’s on top of his game, and here, that peak is The Crickets Stayed in Clovis. A celebration of rock ‘n’ roll wrapped around an incredible chorus—yes, it sounds like Thin Lizzy, but I think Ricky might know that…

And choruses. That’s ”Blood Ties” in a nutshell. There are some absolute belters here, like ”Don’t Sell Your Soul to Fall” in Love. “Dead and Gone” takes us deep into drug addiction, and it feels heartfelt.
Then here comes Billy Duffy and Ricky Warwick together, belting out ‘The Hell of Me and You’. Instant class rock. Clean drums, not trying to over complicate the structure, overlaid with palm muting chugging moving up the fret board. This is a great rock track. Keep it simple, keep it coming!

“Crocodile Tears” is an arena anthem. “Any fool can start a fire, not everyone can keep it burning.” Maybe he’s reflecting on the last 40 years. His punk side takes the spotlight on ‘Wishing Your Life Away’ (and kudos for rhyming “demeanour” with “greener” in a punk song).
And if we’re talking about choruses, we need to mention the riffs—because there are plenty. The one that kicks off ‘The Town That Didn’t Stare’ is yet another standout.

These songs come from the heart. And as long as that fighting heart is pumping blood through Ricky Warwick’s body, music will always be part of him. He knows no other way.
Straight forward, crowd pleasing, loud rock and roll. “Blood Ties” has shades of The Almighty, colors of Black Star Riders, and some of the Irish swagger of Thin Lizzy. Oh, and Ricky Warwick has a voice that could channel Phil Lynott so perfectly.
This is Warwick doing what he does best. Being himself and playing what I can only imagine brings him the joy and the release from life that is the gift of music.
Highly Recommended

01 – Angels of Desolation
02 – Rise and Grind (feat Charlie Starr)
03 – Don’t Leave Me in the Dark (feat Lita Ford)
04 – The Crickets Stayed in Clovis
05 – Don’t Sell Your Soul to Fall in Love (feat Billy Duffy)
06 – Dead and Gone
07 – The Hell of Me and You (feat Billy Duffy)
08 – Crocodile Tears
09 – Wishing Your Life Away
10 – The Town That Didn’t Stare

BUY:
www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Ties-Ricky-Warwick/dp/B0DHYVD7BH