2014 has proved itself a landmark year forBLACK STAR RIDERS. The men in black took their acclaimed live show on the road in Europe and the U.K. and then stormed stages in the United States and Japan for the first time; the reactions have been nothing short of amazing!
2014 is also the yearBLACK STAR RIDERSreturns to the studio to record their as-yet-untitled sophomore album and follow-up to 2013's highly lauded debut releaseAll Hell Breaks Loose. It was originally announced thatDef Leppard front man Joe Elliottwould oversee production duties on the new material joined by long-timeDef Leppard sound guru Ronan McHugh. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances and schedule conflicts,Joe and Ronanhave had to back out of the process.
Elliottexplains: "It is with great reluctance that I have had to pull out of the production job for theBSRsecond album. When I agreed to do it after a great meeting with the boys, it was at was at a time whenDef Leppardweren't exceptionally busy. Things changed and I found myself in a situation where the amount of time I could allocate to the album would not have done justice to the record or the band. They deserve someone who can do the job without rushing it or having to bail out half way through due to other commitments. I KNOW they're are going to make a great second album and maybe sometime down the road, we can revisit the idea of working together again. Myself,Ricky [Warwick],and Scott [Gorham]have a very long-standing & firm friendship which goes back decades!! I wish them nothing but the best & much success with the new album."
"Joeis like a member of the family,"sharesBLACK STAR RIDERSvocalist Ricky Warwick."I was very excited by the prospects ofJoeworking with us on the new record, but sometimes things happen that we cannot control. I know we will work withJoein the future."
The great news is that this change inJoe's schedule has allowedBLACK STAR RIDERSto find someone they are all very excited to work with. Taking over the production duties will be heraldedproducer Nick Raskulinecz.Nickhas been at the desk for a number of incredible releases from such artists asThe Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains,Rush,andMastodon. "I have been a fan ofNick's work for some time,"Warwickstates eagerly."So when it became apparent thatNickwanted to work with us, we were all very excited! He has done some amazing work with other artists in the past and I can't wait to hear what we manage to create together in the studio."
BLACK STAR RIDERSguitarist Damon Johnsonadds: "Nickis an amazing talent and I know he is going to help takeBLACK STAR RIDERSto the next level. His résumé is staggering, his reputation is stellar, and his enthusiasm for our band and our songs is incredibly exciting."
"I was a fan of the first album, and I'm really excited about the songs they've written for their new record,"contributesRaskulinecz. "I'm really looking forward to getting into the studio with them to help bring those songs to life."
BLACK STAR RIDERSare set to enter the studio in September to begin their recording sessions. A Spring 2015 release is expected.
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