Review | Black Swan – Paralyzed

Frontiers Music srl

Black Swan is a band with four popular musicians who have earned their reputations (and laurels) throughout the years. Singer Robin McAuley, guitarist Reb Beach, drummer Matt Starr and bass-player Jeff Pilson: their careers have been long and successful indeed. Black Swan is to these guys an extra outlet next to their regular bands, solo-careers and projects. Named as a supergroup by the media from their first album ‘Shake The World’ (2020) the four rock soldiers did not disappoint on that record. Also their 2022 successor ‘Generation Mind’ was as cool as a cucumber.

THIRD CHAPTER

With ‘Paralyzed’ the quartet adds a third chapter. If you are familiar with the above-mentioned albums, I suppose this one does not come as a surprise as all three albums are more or less in the same vein. Classic and upbeat eighties melodic hard rock, full of flavor, soaring melodies, excellent vocals, a thunderous rhythm section and a star guitarist who treats us on bone melting riffs and tasty solos, delivering full guitar acrobatics all over the album. All songs have been written by Robin, Reb and Jeff and as per usual Jeff Pilson has made sure the production and sound is of superb quality.

BLACK SWAN – THE CONCLUSION

What strikes me is the consistency of the compositions. With the fast title-track and ,,If I Was King’’ being the outstanding songs I did not manage to find one song on ‘Paralyzed’ being weak or even dubious at all. It is an all-round album with superb musicianship and really appealing songs. Not much more to say about this record that satisfies on all accounts. What more do you want?

Release date: 27 February 2026