The underground story of BRIAR ROSE is quite over-stretched for more than 25 years and only four albums. This band led by Randy Blake II is coming out from a shit-hole in the middle of Massachusetts nicely called Swansea. They play some dirty unpolished Heavy Metal with some influences ranging from late 70s to early 90s with legacies from both side of the Ocean: NWOBHM meet old school US Metal. Their 2009's release "Roses Are Rare, Violence is True" wasn't exactly reminded in a good way by your truly. But this time with the help of renowned or should I say legendary  British producer Chris Tsangarides (THIN LIZZY / JUDAS PRIEST / MALMSTEEN / OVERKILL) they managed to record a good enough collection of songs to have the right for a second chance at least for me. With such steadfast persistence I think they deserve it. I just had to say how I'm impressed by their endless commitment, struggling with ungracious fate with constancy & determination. This faithful tenacity is flowing through their music, like beers at the Oktoberfest.

The guttural voice of the Randy Blake, who is by the way, now the only original member left in the band, is very near of Gene Simmons mixed with some David Wayne (R.I.P.) (METAL CHURCH / REVEREND) nasal shriek sand also some fuck off-spitting-attitude like Dave Mustaine. The guitars are viscous in the most underground mood or in the real zombie-swamp-doomy way. The riff of ''Tick Tock" is like the MEGADETH's "Peace Sells" older brother. So don't expect any technical prowess here. It's more like bloody ENTOMBED than fucking DREAM THEATER, I don't know if you understand me. But I hope so. The track "My Girlfriend Is A Witch" brings some freshness and some humor too, it's a cover tune from a late 60s band named THE OCTOBER COUNTRY with this track and the closer short one "Three Little Fishes" we escape the pure Metal realm for a more rustic Punkish-Rock vibe. If you are a fanatic collector or a true underground Metalhead: This silver platter is for you.