top of page
Hard Rock
Frontiers Music
New Release
Black Swan
Paralyzed
Reviewed in issue:
114
Release Date:
27 Feb 2026
Reviewed by:
🟣 Pete Arnett
For Fans Of
Robin McAuley
Revolution Saints
Winger
Top three tracks
• When The Cold Wind Blows
• Paralyzed
• If I Was King
Fireworks Verdict:
"Without doubt, this is Black Swan’s best album to date,"
THE REVIEW
Words Of Wisdom!
Hitting all the right notes with their third album, Hard Rock masters Black Swan have served up an absolute scorcher to start 2026 on the right foot! Building upon the success of their debut ‘Shake The World’ and follow-up ‘Generation Mind’, the quartet of Robin McAuley (vocals), Reb Beach (guitars), Jeff Pilson (bass) and Matt Starr (drums) have raised their game again and hit it out of the park with eleven blistering songs.
From the opening howls of Beach’s guitar on ‘When The Cold Wind Blows’, you know that these boys mean business. McAuley’s voice sounds as good, if not better, than it did forty years ago. ‘Death Of Me’ has a strong American sound, with shades of early Alice Cooper, and Starr’s drumming gives it a real kick, making it a joy to toe-tap along to. Completing the opening trio of songs is the melodic rocker ‘Different Kind Of Woman’, which, again, showcases McAuley’s vocal range perfectly.
"McAuley’s voice sounds as good, if not better, than it did forty years ago."
As you would expect from a band consisting of members of this calibre, the songs are well-composed and performed; however, this time around, it feels like even more melodic elements have been woven into the fabric of the songs, and this really adds to the album as a whole. ‘If I Was King’ is a perfect example, being one of the best songs they have ever done. It also features some killer bass from Pilson (did you ever doubt it?). ‘Shakedown’ is another toe-tapping monster, with a chorus that you will end up singing along with; it’s inevitable, don’t fight it!
The pace doesn’t let up with ‘The Fire And The Flame’, which again provides another superb example of the tight group that these respected musicians have become. ‘I’m Ready’ is perhaps the slowest song out of the lot, but the melodies pounce and drag you in from the off; the solo from Beach is phenomenal. The pace increases again with the title track, which is Hard Melodic Rock at its finest.
Proving the phrase “slow down and take it easy” doesn’t exist in their vocabulary, the final three songs are full octane power slaps, with ‘Battered And Bruised’ standing just slightly taller than ‘Carry On’ and closer ‘What The Future Holds’… but it’s mighty close. Without doubt, this is Black Swan’s best album to date, and, like fine wine, they get better with age.
"‘Shakedown’ is another toe-tapping monster"
Never mind youth, trust in experience!
Reviewer:
🟣 Pete Arnett
Let Us Know The Score!
0
1
0
0
bottom of page