BLOOD RED SAINTS – Undisputed (2021)
UK melodic rockers BLOOD RED SAINTS have returned to the Frontiers label, who originally worked with them in 2015 on their debut, for their next studio album. August 6, 2021 will see the release of the fourth effort from the English rockers, ‘Undisputed‘.
Musically, the album is a return to the melodic rock style as heard on the band’s debut, “Speedway,” which earned them fan and critical praise from the broader melodic rock community. Written during the Covid-19 pandemic, the recording of “Undisputed” took place at guitarist Lee Revills’ home studio.
Melodic, rocking when needed, with nods to the 80s/90s classic sounds from the genre, ‘Undisputed’ is plenty of strong songs and really good musicianship.
Blood Red Saints were formed at the end of 2014 by singer Pete Godfrey and bassist Rob Naylor from the band Angels Or Kings. They quickly got to work writing their debut album. Their search for a name ended with the chance discovery of a semi-legendary Speedway team “The Blood Red Saints”, who were formed in the late 1920s in Brooklyn, New York. Their leader ‘Freddie Rendetti’ became synonymous with the team and was a fiery, colorful character who ultimately lived the fast life a little too fast. The band loved the name and ran with it.
James Martin of VEGA came along and was instrumental in getting the band signed to Frontiers Music for their debut album, “Speedway”. James and his twin brother Tom also co-wrote two songs on the album and none other than Harry Hess (Harem Scarem) took care of the mastering of the album.
The band’s debut album was an impressive slice of classic British AOR, following in the traditions of early Dare, FM, and Newman. The band then went on to record two well-received albums, “Love Hate Conspiracies” and “Pulse”, for AOR Heaven, but have now returned to Frontiers for their forthcoming fourth album, “Undisputed”.
While we liked the band’s two previous albums, the music into “Undisputed” is the Blood Red Saints we all want to hear: traditional melodic hard rock and AOR accessibility, just like on their debut CD, but even better.
There’s fiery guitar solos and some punchy moments, but as whole, this is all about melody.
The synth start of ‘Breathe Again’, its sweet guitars, soulful vocals and anthemic AOR chorus is what fans want to hear from this talented band.
Then there’s great melodic rockers in ‘Love Like War’, the title track, ‘Alibi’, and the fun ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’.
‘Undisputed’ brings back the BLOOD RED SAINTS side of their first effort, at places bringing to mind Dare and Three Lions. This might well be the strongest effort of the band so far, which means a lot given the sheer quality of their previous LP’s.
Quality stuff.
Highly Recommended
01 – This Ain’t a Love Song
02 – Love Like War
03 – Heaven in the Headlights
04 – Breathe Again
05 – Caught in the Wreckage
06 – Karma
07 – Come Alive
08 – Alibi
09 – Undisputed
10 – Complete
11 – All I Wanna Do
Pete Godfrey – Vocals, Bass
Lee Revill – Guitar
Neil Hibbs – Guitar
Andy Chemney – Drums
Pre order:
www.amazon.com/Undisputed-Blood-Red-Saints/dp/B094LC6KSK
