WHITESNAKE is: David Coverdale – Vocals, Reb Beach – Guitar, Tommy Aldridge- Drums, Michael Devin – Bass/ Harmonica, Joel Hoekstra – Guitar, Michele Luppi – Keyboards/Piano
Rating: 8 / 10 Stars
REVIEW – Fresh off celebrating their 40th anniversary, rock legends Whitesnake return with their latest studio album, ‘Flesh & Blood’. This album follows the 2011 critically acclaimed studio album “Forevermore” and 2015’s “The Purple Album”, a reimagining of Deep Purple classics from Whitesnake mastermind’s David Coverdale’s time in that band. The 13 original, visceral tracks on “Flesh & Blood”, the band’s 13th studio album, are,luckily for you dear reader, “all killer, no filler”, as the saying goes.
But would you expect anything less from the ’Snakes?
Since joining the band four years ago, and just in time for the aforementioned “The Purple Album”, Chicago native Joel Hoekstra has really come into his own, not only as a highly impressive axe-slinger, but also as a very accomplished songwriter too, co-writing six of the songs for “Flesh & Blood” with singer David Coverdale. Of course Joel’s talents are hardly surprising, considering he’s the son of two classical musicians.
Guitarist Reb Beach, who originally joined Whitesnake in 2002, has stepped up to become the group’s bandleader and guides the band to implement Coverdale’s musical vision. As well as bringing his impressive musical chops to the band, Reb has co-written five songs on the new album, the fourth studio album he has appeared on, commencing with 2008’s highly acclaimed “Good To Be Bad”.
It was the “Good To Be Bad” follow up, “Forevermore” (2011), that saw the debut of bassist Michael Devin. The New Englander’s four-string-depth-charge-bass-bombs definitively underpin and drive the sound of Whitesnake in the 21st century.
Rounding out the rhythm section is David’s longest serving ’Snake,the renowned drummer and unstoppable percussionist Tommy Aldridge, who has been with Whitesnake in some capacity for 30 years. Tommy made his debut with Whitesnake way back in 1987 in the ‘Still Of The Night’ video, becoming a mainstay behind the kit for successive albums and tours.
Last, but certainly not least, the band is completed by the inventive keyboards and vocals of Italian maestro Michele Luppi, who made his live debut in 2015, as documented on “The Purple Tour” live CD/DVD (2018).
The current incarnation of the band carries on the long and unwavering tradition of mainman David Coverdale being surrounded by cream of the crop players who go all in to bring fans the best hard rock humanly possible. 40+ years into their existence, the ‘Snakes fangs have only grown sharper and are ready to inject fans with more of that rock ‘n roll venom they crave.
‘Flesh & Blood’ opens with “Good To See You Again” which is a blues based hard rocking anthem that screams classic WHITESNAKE. The second song “Gonna Be Alright” is slightly different feeling and vocals for this band but still very good. Track number three is “Shut Up And Kiss Me”. This track will have you standing with fist in the air headbanging and singing along to this rocking track.
Track four is “Hey You (You Make Me Rock)” features searing guitars with a solid foundation supplied by thundering drums, thumping bass and crunchy guitars. The track is topped with some powerful vocals supplied by David Coverdale. The next song “Always Forever” is classic sounding WHITESNAKE sing-along that takes you back to hair metal heyday of the ’80s. Track number six of ‘Flesh And Blood’ is titled “When I Think Of You (Color Me Blue)”. The track will have you closing your eyes while you sway and drift away with the emotion inducing lyrics and music. The next song “Trouble Is Your Middle Name” opens with sirens behind a catchy bluesy riff with soulful vocals that slowly builds into fist pumping rager. The chorus “Trouble Is Your Middle Name” will be stuck in your head for days!
The title track “Flesh And Blood” features some screaming guitars over a foundation of thundering bass and pounding drums with soaring keyboards and powerful distinctive vocals by the MAN David Coverdale! “Well I Never” has catchy sing-along chorus with a fist pumping rhythm section with some scorching leads that are sure to have the entire crowd up grooving along. “Heart of Stone” slows things down a bit with a heavy blues hard rocker that is full of emotion. The track features some amazing musicianship and incredibly soulful vocals.
“Get Up” is a really bluesy backwoods sound that just slides and slithers along at a fast tempo. “After All” features some beautiful acoustic guitar melodies with very emotional vocals. The track is sure to have fans closing their eyes and softly drifting along. The closing track of ‘Flesh & Blood’ is “Sands of Time” this song is another rocker with some hard pounding rhythms and pounding bass and drums that will have you swaying to the rhythm that just slithers all around you.
