CleoRecs / Deadline Music welcome hard rock’s very own dynamic duo return with another barrage of musical uppercuts that’ll knock you off your feet: GEORGE LYNCH & JEFF PILSON join again for new album “Heavy Hitters II“.
These former Dokken bandmates bring a new and even better set of supercharged cover songs transforming classic soul, pop and rock songs like Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer,” Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive,” Sam & Dave’s “Hold On (I’m Comin’)” and more into metal / hard rock killer tunes.
Featuring lead vocals by longtime Rolling Stones backing vocalist, Bernard Fowler, these rollicking versions are to die for.
In 2020, guitar-shredding virtuoso George Lynch reteamed with former DOKKEN bandmate Jeff Pilson for a set of new studio recordings that turned pop music classics into powerful metal anthems. Dubbed “Heavy Hitters”, the album was well-received by rock and metal devotees across the board.
Now, this dynamic duo have once again converged for the highly anticipated follow-up album, “Heavy Hitters II”, which brings forth a fresh new set of reimagined cover versions representing classics of soul, modern alt-rock, new wave, blues and more.
Ever wondered what Pilson, one of the most widely respected bass players in all of hard rock and metal, could do with SLY & THE FAMILY STONE’s ultra-funky bass line in “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”? Or questioned whether Mr. Scary could transform Howlin’ Wolf’s oft-covered “Smokestack Lightning” into a smokin’ hot, floor-stompin’ slab of bluesy rock (with a special guest vocal by the great Corey Glover of LIVING COLOUR)?
Well, “Heavy Hitters II” has your answers. Those delights and a whole lot more wait in store — just check out the completely revamped version of IMAGINE DRAGONS’ “Radioactive”. In the hands of Lynch and Pilson, this tune gets a thorough re-working with a supercharged galloping rhythmic guitar riff you’ll have to hear to believe.
Whereas the previous volume of “Heavy Hitters” featured a mix of various guest vocalists, this time around Lynch and Pilson brought in one of the most diverse and powerful vocalists in the business, longtime THE ROLLING STONES backing vocalist Bernard Fowler.
Fowler, along with acclaimed drummer Brian Tichy, fill out each of the album’s tracks with their masterful performances.
Reinterpreting classic pop songs as rock anthems is an amazingly fun challenge, and GEORGE LYNCH & JEFF PILSON do it with class.
Highly Recommended
1. Sledgehammer
2. Carry On
3. The Stroke
4. Radioactive
5. Smokestack Lightning
6. Hold On (I’m Coming Home)
7. Stay With Me
8. Shout
9. New Sensation
10. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
11. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
12. It’s a Wonderful Life
George Lynch & Jeff Pilson – Heavy Hitters II 2023, MP3+FLAC
 |
