The Dead Daisies – Light ‘Em Up

More than three years have passed since The Dead Daisies released Holy Ground, their first album since parting ways with singer John Corabi and bassist Marco Mendoza. The two were replaced by legendary singer/bassists Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion)

And the album was really strong statement even though it was dominated by Hughes aura. Something that was even more present on the 2022 follow up Radience, which didn’t have the same quality as its predecessor, which at times made that Hughes magnetism stand out more and at times made the album sound like Hughes solo record.

Now the band is back with a new album, but they also seem to be back to where they should be. Well, at least partially. John Corabi is back in the band, who, despite a revolving door of band members, seems like THE band’s singer.

The album title as well as the way it’s spelled indicates that this is an old school no-frills record, and that’s basically what you get as well. For better or worse.

The album is once again produced by Marti Frederiksen, who this time around went for a bit more modern approach with especially drums, which does take some of that classic rock charm out of the sound. Add to that the return of former Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath drummer Tommy Clufetos and what you get is a more direct and power driven rhythm section and indeed the album. And while that in itself is fine, one of the big strengths of this band has always been that big swinging groove which drove some of their strongest records. That aspect is all but gone from Light ‘Em Up.

In general, this album is more straight forward with the band really cutting it down to the bare minimum and focusing on simple power, rather than on spectre within the songs. When it works, it works well like on the title track and “Way Back Home”, but more often than not it ends up in professionally delivered space-fillers such as “Times Are Changing”, “My Way And The Highway” and downright cringy “I Wanna Be You Bitch”. Elsewhere, the band dips their toes in that which isn’t just straight-forward classic rock like on the grungy “Back To Zero” and the album highlight, the soulfully bluesy “Take My Soul”.

It’s clear that The Dead Daisies were set up to make this kind of album, and it’s a pleasure to have Corabi back in the band, but there is just not all that much to sing your teeth into on Light ‘Em Up and the lack of groove and more depth in lyrical themes just makes the album come across as skinny edition of this band. Several of the songs will perhaps work better live and that’s where this band truly shines, so that’s always something.

www.thedeaddaisies.com