Bite The Bullet – Horizon
(Escape Music – 2025)
(Genre – Melodic Rock)
This amazing band return with 'Horizon'. It features 11 exceptional new songs written by Mick Benton & Graham Cowling. The quality never dips. When the album ends all you want to do is reload and play it again!
Gentle African rhythms open ‘Shining Star’. It is silky smooth as it creates a summery feel, not dissimilar to Toto with ‘Africa’. It sets the tone of what is to follow. 'The Departed (Days Of Sunshine)’ features a great guitar solo as the song develops in a cinematic manner, drawing the listener in with a nice chorus.
Third song, ‘Livin’ On Overdrive’ ups the pace, a little, again it is pristine, catchy and infectious. Benton takes control of lead vocals, bass & keys, Cowling provides the drum patterns, with Malcolm Jones on additional guitar and Steve Hill supplying extra keys. Paul Gunn features on bass with The Fabulous G&T Soul Sisters, Aly Turkington and Amanda Goodridge on backing vocals.
If soft melodic rock is your thing you are guaranteed to enjoy this. Turn the lights down and float away on the delicate patterns that fill the air. It is not scorching or blistering, it is laid back and ultimately erm, nice sprinkled with a light Celtic charm.
‘Collateral Damage’ almost explodes out of the speakers with its fiery riff, it is anthemic with some great interplay and melodies. ‘Without Your Love ‘is a top-notch ballad which mentions the shining star from the opening number. This helps to open our eyes to see beyond the ‘Horizon’, which closes things with some cool keys and a marching rhythm.
What else can I say other than it is an album designed to make you smile and relax, expertly realised and produced, built on colours and restraint. If you are ‘Looking For Paradise’ maybe it is closer than you think and just beyond the horizon.
Nice one.
By Paul Mace