A blast to the past
Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Lightning Born is an energetic band that oozes a retro ‘70s vibe that any rock fan will enjoy. The group consists of Brenna Leath of The Hell No on lead vocals, Eric Sugg of Demon Eye on guitar, Doza Hawes of Colossus and Bloody Hammers on drums, and Mike Dean of Corrosion of Conformity on bass. Their debut self titled album Lightning Born may not take any risks, each song similar to the next, but each song is full of talent and powerful vocals, and the group is definitely making a statement about their place in the modern rock world.
The album begins with “Shifting Winds,” which itself begins with a very memorable guitar riff. The guitar in the beginning is like an immediate transportation back to the past. The retro feeling is even more solidified as Leath’s vocals come in. Her vocals are fantastic, they are subdued but contain just enough emotion to pack a powerful punch. This song is a great way to start the album as it sets the tone for what’s to come, and it beautifully displays each member of the group’s talents.
The second song on the album is “Renegade.” It’s a slightly faster song, and Leath’s vocals display a wonderfully wide range throughout the song. This is arguably the best song for Leath on the album, as it displays how talented of a singer she is. It’s not a surprise that the group would choose this song to be the first single from the album as well.
Some other notable songs on the album are “You Have Been Warned,” “Out For Blood” and “Wildfire.” “You Have Been Warned” is a surprisingly catchy song, with a great mix of guitar and drums at the beginning. Also, the opening lyrics of “in hurricanes and horoscopes/ your fortune has been told,” carry a lot of power to them. Lightning Born shows that they are as good at writing music as they are at playing it. “Out For Blood” has a bit of a bluesy feel to it, and Leath’s vocals are full of soul. Though the group definitely sticks to a certain sound, this song proved that they can branch out a little bit. Finally, “Wildfire” is a fast paced rocker that manages to give off the feeling of a wildfire simply through the style of the song. Through Leath’s quick vocals and Sugg’s guitar playing, the song roars through from start to end.
The album ends with “Godless,” a song that isn’t a huge standout, but that wraps up the album well as it leaves listeners with a perfect image of who this fantastic group is.
Lightning Born is available for purchase and streaming now.
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