(BraveWords Records)
A brief history of Jack Starr – in 1981 with David DeFeis he was on the first two Virgin Steele albums and left in 1983. In 1984, Starr started his solo recording career with the album Out Of The Darkness, featuring former Riot vocalist Rhett Forrester, members of The Rods and former Rainbow drummer Gary Driscoll. Starr changed the name of his band to Jack Starr’s Burning Starr and from 1984 and 1989 he produced albums, both solo and with the band.
In the following years, Starr again assembled a group of musicians for a new incarnation of Burning Starr. It was not until 2009 that the next album, Defiance, would be released. Performed at the Magic Circle Festival 2008, 2011 released the album Land Of The Dead with ex-Manowar guest musicians Ross the Boss and David Shankle, and played at the 2013 Keep It True festival.
Now in 2025, Out Of The Darkness Part II comes with singer Giles Lavery (Warlord / Alcatrazz), guitarist Eric Juris (Warlord), Gene Cooper on bass, and Rhino on drums (ex-Manowar). “Hand Of Doom” starts off the album in an unlikely way, slower chunky metal headbanger with Lavery’s and guitar leads follow the melody lines.
If you are familiar with the traditional/power metal of Giles’ other band’s he sings for (Warlord, Alcatrazz), for Starr he’s more dramatic, using more of his high tone to screams. See “Endless Night” with its big melodic chorus mixed with Starr’s leads and dual harmonies.
“Whooss” opens “Into The Pit” which has an old ‘70s Sabbath aesthetic. Track four, “Rise Up”, picks up the tempo. “Underneath The Velvet” has power ballad success potential and gives Lavery a chance to show his chops.
More twin guitars for straight forward riff driven rocker “Tonight We Ride”, sounds like it could have been on a Dokken album, and that a good thing. I like how “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes” has more kick in its step, up tempo. “Saharah Winds” another that slows thing down with a nice touch of keyboards underneath. “The Greater Good” is for those who like their American power metal, newer Alcatrazz, Riot. Bonus track “Savage At The Gate” has a Saxon biker vibe.
Great addition to the BraveWords label roster.
Stream/purchase Out Of The Darkness II here.
Rating: 8.0
The post REVIEW: JACK STARR’s Out Of The Darkness II – “Great Addition To The BraveWords Label Roster” appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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