SMITH / KOTZEN – Black Light / White Noise (2025) *HQ*

SMITH / KOTZEN is the musical collaboration between talented musicians Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and Richie Kotzen of The Winery Dogs and a solo artist in his own right. “Black Light / White Noise” is their hugely anticipated second album takes their unique collaboration up a notch, as their modern approach (both vocally and on the fretboard) evokes their love of classic hard rock. This anthemic, call to arms album once again showcases the songwriting prowess of these two musicians for their worldwide legions of fans.
Sonically this second album has a better mix of styles from the two musicians than the debut. Things just sound more together and solid. This is two amazing guitarists, vocalists and songwriters at the top of their game and roll on another tour soon as these tracks were made for the stage.

“Can you hear me through the white noise?” – Loud n’ clear gentlemen. The duality of darkness and light shines on the second offering from the union of Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen. ”Black Light / White Noise” is a little masterpiece of guitar playing, but over all, a great collection of rocking songs.
The duo shares vocal duties with Adrian bringing the blues-laced grit and Kotzen the soul. Their guitar chemistry is off the charts, playing off one another through tracks brandishing blues, ‘70s / ’80s / ’90s hard rock, with glimpses of jazz and R&B. There is also a definite layer of heaviness heard throughout with the guitars possessing more bite.

Just check out that doomy underneath riff that accompanies the solo in the brilliant blues-based “Wraith”. They sound comfortable and confident like in the Smith led Western lawman inspired “Darkside”, the rocking funk of opener “Muddy Water”, and the ‘70s groove in “Black Light” about a troublesome woman.
This album actually sort of has two title tracks, and “White Noise” is the first to appear. The song opens with a sludgy medium-high gain riff. After a couple runs through, the song leans back into a chill 4/4 blues rock verse structure, with lyrics lamenting the societal shift into social media, tethered to apps and being lost in the noise as an individual voice. After a delivery of the chorus asking if you can “hear me through the white noise,” the two gents take some turns on some ZZ Top flavored parts, with Richie demonstrating his frantic Telecaster pyrotechnics and Adrian balancing it out with some melodic vibrator-laden blues licks.

The other titular piece, “Black Light,” opens up with drums pounding into the reverb and gets pretty quickly into Richie bringing some fluid legato leads. This track is laden with 70s rock roots, perhaps most closely to the Deep Purple of Coverdale and Hughes. In fact, Richie’s vocal parts are often aligned with what we hear on Burn material, such as “Lay Down / Stay Down.”

The guys let loose on “Life Unchained” – a certified up-tempo rocker while the groove in “Blindsided” reminds of Velvet Revolver. The laid-back, motorcycle, wind-to-the-back “Outlaw” seems to stick in the head the most with its main guitar melody. Plus that closing outro guitar solo is godly.
Kotzen does his Prince impression in 7-minute closer “Beyond The Pale” with emotive playing and vocal gymnastics regretting a failed relationship.

All over the album, take a close listen to the intricacies of both musicians guitar playing and the huge wall of sound present. The bass is there with a thick bottom end and accompanies a workmanlike effort behind the kit – not flashy, but serving the songs.
Considering how long these guys have been in the game, this record is a fresh, vibrant dose of hard rock that will deservedly earn end of year recognition.
Highly Recommended

01. Muddy Water
02. White Noise
03. Black Light
04. Darkside
05. Life Unchained
06. Blindsided
07. Wraith
08. Heavy Weather
09. Outlaw
10. Beyond The Pale

Adrian Smith / Guitars, vocals
Richie Kotzen / Guitars, vocals
Julia Lage / Bass
Bruno Valverde / Drums

Pre order:
amazon.com/Black-Light-White-Noise-Kotzen/dp/B0DMQLR45W