BLACK STONE CHERRY – Celebrate (2026)
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Kentucky hard rockers BLACK STONE CHERRY will release a brand-new music, “Celebrate“, a 7-song EP, on March 6, 2026, via Mascot Records. Produced by the band, it features the title track, “Neon Eyes,” and a cover of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” featuring as guest Tyler Connolly of Theory Of A Deadman .
Six commanding, stage-ready original tracks and an inspired cover of Simple Minds’ classic ’80s song. “Neon Eyes” was a soundcheck riff that exploded into a thumping, hard rock party-starter, and the video follows them on a typical day in the life of a band on the road, as they arrive at their stunning headline performance at the 2025 Maid Of Stone festival in the U.K. You get a glimpse of the band behind the scenes, how they prepare for a show, them mingling with the crowd, fans rejoicing throughout the day, and all the way up to a typically high voltage performance showing what an undeniable force they are — plus some magical and unforgettable memories made during the day.
Opener ”Celebrate” kicks off in an aggressive rock style with Robertson’s semi-rough and very recognizable voice leading the way once again. It is a song that deals with daily life and it is worth to celebrate another day you spent on this earth that has become so unpredictable. But you are there and made it through another one today.
Black Stone Cherry (as has always been the case in their career) presents a perfect mix between muscle and melody in their repertoire with even a sensitive ballad in the form of ”Deep”, for me the absolute stand out song on this EP. Sensitive and still with balls.
“Celebrate” is an EP of contrasts. “I’m Fine” is a dreamily woozy, alternative singalong.
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” features guest vocals from old BLACK STONE friend Tyler Connolly. Immortalized in John Hughes’s seminal 1985 coming-of-age film “The Breakfast Club”, it turned out to be a surprisingly natural fit for BLACK STONE CHERRY. A happy pairing with the soulful gravel and sincerity of Chris’s vocals. “I love that song!” the frontman laughs.
The band started out a quarter of a century ago and though I do not expect them to stick around for another 25 years, ”Celebrate” shows that there is plenty of life, ambition and pure love for rock, blues and southern rock flowing through their veins.
This record has seven good to excellent songs. It sounds crispy and determined. Even the Simple Minds cover sounds great as the band has given this track a shot of adrenaline.
Black Stone Cherry is a band that just rocks from the heart and they have done that from day one.
Highly Recommended
01 – Celebrate
02 – Neon Eyes
03 – Caught Up In The Up Down
04 – I’m Fine
05 – Deep
06 – What You’re Made Of
07 – Don’t You (Forget About Me) *
Chris Robertson – Vocals, Guitars
Ben Wells – Guitars
Steve Jewell Jr. – Bass
John Fred Young – Drums
* featuring THEORY OF A DEADMAN’s Tyler Connolly
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www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FMFJ1DDY
