Search - Blackthorne :: Afterlife

3.5 stars - a solid early 90's hard rock "supergroup"

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 05/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Blackthorne is a supergroup of sorts, gathering a collection of (let's be honest here) b-listers in a final hard rocking hurrah before the door was shut on the 80's/early 90's melodic rock scene. The band featured Graham Bonnet (ex-Alcatrazz, MSG, Rainbow) on vocals, Bob Kulick (ex-Balance) on guitars, Chuck Wright (ex Giuffria/House of Lords) on bass, Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot) on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy Waldo (ex-Alcatrazz, New England). KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick also lent a hand, as did Autograph singer Steve Plunkett.



The music on Blackthorne's only release - 1993's Afterlife - is about what you'd expect. It's hard charging melodic hard rock (we probably would have called it metal in '93) with the kind of muscular guitar riffs and flashy solos that Nirvana and the rest of the alternative revolutionaries told us we weren't supposed to enjoy anymore. This kind of heavy rock is pretty far removed from Kulick's work in Balance, and I don't think I've ever heard Bonnet cut loose quite like this either. His voice, which I often find annoying, is the perfect fit for this kind of all out rock fest. The band's hard charging take on the Bonnet-era Rainbow tune "All Night Long" is very interesting.



This isn't an essential album by any means, but if you're a fan of any of the band members' previous work, or just enjoy 80's/90's melodic hard rock and metal, you'll want to track down a copy of Afterlife."

Great neanderthal, head-bangin' rock

Kirk Lott | adrift on the seas of life | 12/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great, fist-pumpin', head-bangin', hard rock fest. Great pinging lead guitars, a rhino-on-steroids rhythm section, and the wild vocal acrobatics of the incredible Graham Bonnet (ex-Rainbow, MSG, etc.), etc. Well-worth picking up."

Reliable stuff from a bunch of names you kinda know

Paul Lawrence | Australia | 02/28/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1993 was probably not the best time for this album to see the light of day. It's not hysterical hair metal of the worst kind, but it is brightly played and the personnel weren't exactly the 'in thing' at the time. To explain that point, the band comprised Bob Kulick on guitar, Jimmy Waldo on keys etc, Frankie Banali on drums, Chuck Wright on bass and none other than Graham Bonnet on lead vocals. The guy responsible for the traditional sounding knob job was none other than Bruce Kulick who also steps up to the plate for a guest spot on the tune Over and Over.



The surprising thing is that Bonnet has said consistently over the years that he really isn't into this sort of music. Yet it's always put food on his table. But certainly there is no sign of him sounding half hearted here and in fact he sounds better here that I thought he did back in Alcatrazz.



The sounds run the gamut of traditional hard rock except your appreciation is somewhat heightened by the semi fame of the players involved and one couple of interesting points are that we get a sort of cover version of All Night Long (one more time, with feeling huh boys).



Elsewhere, my favourite slices of rock would have to be Cradle To The Grave, We Won't Be Forgotten and the title track After Life and for a few cerebral moments the more serious lyrics of Sex Crime aren't too bad.



And that's about it, semi 'name' players getting together for a solid rock outing that lovers of traditional yet not overly hysterical stuff should enjoy."