Those of us that were around in the ’80s will remember a superb band called Q5 who put out the phenomenal ‘Steel The Light’ album on the Music For Nations label. The band contained former members of great rockers TKO – two superb guitarists one of which, Floyd Rose, developed a super duper electric guitar tremolo. The other guitarist was the equally talented Rick Pierce.
Now the guitarist assembled the RICK PIERCE GROUP, and is releasing debut album titled “Brick By Brick“. With Floyd Rose producing, in the band Rick is joined by an all-star lineup of rock and metal heavyweights, including Izzy Rehaume (Presto Ballet, Ronny Munroe Project) on bass, Frankie Rongo (Q5, Nightshade, Thor) on drums, and vocal powerhouse Chris James – Floyd Rose’s latest discovery from Southern California.
Their combined talents and relentless passion for rock culminate in ”Brick by Brick”, an album that captures the essence of high-energy rock ‘n’ roll from hard rock to metal.
Opener ‘Tick Tock’ is total Q5 with a grinding riff, a solid bassline and great vocal melody line then we get a chug fest on the title track and singer Chris James gives a muscular performance as drummer Frankie Rongo drives it along.
‘Only’ brings a dark melody and another superb fluid solo from Pierce then we go back to Q5 with a blues metal similar to ‘Steel The Light’ – ‘Remember The Bataclan’ is a fitting tribute to a terrible night. ‘Can You Feel It’ is a heavy melodic rocker and again highlights the wonderful voice of Chris James. It’s a simple groove riding along the rhythm and some tidy lines from Pierce.
It’s back to heaviness on ‘Love Hate’ with its catchy chorus before the album closer ‘A Storm Is Coming’ which is a proper heavy metal ballad.
On ”Brick by Brick” Pierce just show his talent as a performer and a songwriter. The guy can shred with the best of them, but this isn’t showy or flashy – everything is for the song. He has recruited well too. The rhythm section of bass player Izzy Rehaume and drummer Frankie Rongo are a perfect fit that just lock into the groove together and singer Chris James is again perfect for the bands sound.
This really is something special so if you like classic ’80s metal / hard rock stick your ‘battle’ jacket on and throw some horns to this… and play it loud!!!
Tracklist:
1. Tick Tock (03:38)
2. Brick by Brick (03:50)
3. Only (04:52)
4. Remember the Bataclan (05:02)
5. Can You Feel It (04:06)
6. Love Hate (03:12)
7. A Storm is Coming (04:18)
Rick Pierce Group (TKO) – Brick by Brick (2025)
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