Barbara Black – 'Love, Death & Flies': An album with plenty of influences

The album is titled 'Love, Death & Flies' and its music will bring you into contact with plenty of different musical styles. 'Love, Death & Flies' is put out by Rock Estatal Records and was released on 10 Μαρτίου 2020. Are you ready for the journey?!

At the centre of it all, Barbara Black

It's striking that we're referring to the band solely by the frontwoman's name! Even bands like Black Label Society aren't referred to as Zakk Wylde (even though it's clear who the star of the show is). The whole enterprise is centred on Barbara, but it would be untrue to say the musicians backing her aren't capable. Quite the opposite, in fact! The band has a great deal of musical promise beyond the singer.

At first, without having even heard the record, Barbara's persona gives off a somewhat more pop and girly style. The album cover backs that up too. Of course, reality is very different! 'Love, Death & FliesLove, Death & Flies' is a thoroughly rock record (and not classic or soft rock, mind you), though it does carry a wide range of influences.

Branching out into many different styles

The most recent work by Barbara Black is somewhat hard to pin down! It's a remarkably varied effort with plenty of heavier songs, but also southern rock ballads, and there are even… gospel influences. Barbara herself has gotten us used to a more American sound. On the other hand, almost all ten new tracks are catchy!

The heavier songs, like the blistering 'Damnified' or the highlight 'Tiger TamerTiger Tamer', show off all the musicians' talent and the commanding presence of their beautiful, distinctive singer. The vocals are also tailored to each different track, like, for instance, "Desert's Last Drop" with its ballad feel that strongly recalls Axl Rose, and that's entirely a good thing in this case, while "Twisted Girl" could well have come straight out of Motley Crue's finest moments!

Everything on this record is also drenched in skilful guitar work. Heavy metal, hard rock and southern rock influences. Every song includes a deeply emotional guitar solo that often serves as the song's climax. Guitars and vocals dominate the whole album, while the other two band members lay down an equally impressive and highly effective foundation.

Editor's Choice: 'Don't Play with Fire'

Although plenty of tracks could have earned this spot (with 'Tiger TamerTiger Tamer' being one of them), Fuzzy Hound's pick is 'Don't Play with FireDon't Play with Fire'. A track with strong southern roots, whose highlights include the banjo intro and the main riff that just sticks with you. You could say the whole song splits into two parts. One clean and gentle, and one very punchy with a 'dirty' kick to it! With its unmistakable American style, it'll definitely have you putting on your Ray Bans, jeans and boots and heading out for a stroll through the American South!

An album that stokes curiosity

It's hard to strictly categorize this latest work by Barbara Black. The band appears to have shifted its style considerably. Thanks to this varied approach, the record almost sounds like a compilation that reveals the band's broad horizons. Even the production suits every style heard on the record. The main driving force behind it all is singer Barbara, who seems to contain multitudes. A truly great singer who isn't just another beautiful, technically flawless heavy-sound vocalist, but also a persona brimming with theatricality!

If you're into heavy metal, hard rock and southern rock, "Love, Death & FliesLove, Death & Flies" will have you screaming! Definitely a mature second album that's set to be the centrepiece of the band's career. With roots that touch on classic sounds and a theatrical persona that will leave you spellbound!