There has been a mini-surge in Black Stone Cherry-influenced rock in Britain recently, with new bands Stone Broken, Those Damn Crows and Scarlet Rebels amongst others specialising in catchy and consummately made hard rock.
Welsh trio Florence Black can be added to the list and they are back with their self-released sophomore album Bed of Nails. It comes two years after their acclaimed debut Weight of the World and follows in its sonic footsteps, offering up burly hard rock with big guitars and choruses buffed to a fine polish.
The full throttle “Start Again”, with its visceral riff, starts the record off in a lively fashion. This sets the tone for the proceeding 40 plus minutes of no nonsense rock with meaty guitars and sizable hooks. “Don’t Hold Me Down” continues this, pairing its hummable melodies with a metallic crunch.
At just under two and a half minutes “Taxman” is a sprightly number and perhaps the catchiest thing here. “The Way Home” is similarly pacey, bounding along with punk-like enthusiasm and a classic rock style guitar solo.
It might be well trodden ground but Florence Black have found their sound, and they have a knack for it. The chugging rhythm of ‘Look Up’ soon reveals a foot tapping chorus and a bubbly solo that you can’t help but be charmed by. ‘Bed of Nails’ is a right bruiser of a track, with a heavy stomp, an emphatic chorus and some suitably rough and ready vocals.
It’s not all hefty guitars and shiny choruses; they throw in a few ballads for good measure. “Warning Sign” is the rockiest one here, and its lush, AOR style harmonies and short but sweet solos are firmly lodged in my head. “Beautiful Lover” is pleasant enough but is verging on filler, the best of the bunch though is the penultimate track “The Forest”. It is a refreshing change of pace which starts off as a sweet, acoustic ballad before bursting into life.
It may be an overcrowded and over familiar genre, but this Welsh trio’s second album is a catchy collection of melodic hard rock which builds upon their promising debut.
Buy the album here:
https://florenceblack.tmstor.es/
7 / 10
THOMAS THROWER