Bombay Black Hits Gold With Love You to Death By Tom Roeck
With skill and finesse local Conway/ Little Rock Melodic Rock band Bombay Black has crafted a hard rock effort of epic proportions in their “Love you to death” compact disc.This reporter has not enjoyed a rock album this thoroughly in a long, long time.
Led by Erik “Crash” Johnson, local D.J. on Big Rock 93.3, this quartet has been pumping out song after song of melodic hard rock for the last 6 years in the Little Rock Metro area. With 3 previous releases to their credit, this fourth effort is a fine tuned culmination of what they have developed to date. Loaded with many potential hit songs, and the driving rock that they are famous for. The songs are commercial enough to catch any rock fans ear, and yet are brilliantly arranged with enough twists and turns to interest even the most critical musicians. Undeniably Ty Sims, bassist and engineer of Bombay Black has out done himself in the production work of this 4th effort. Not to mention his bass playing is absolutely flawless with a very controlled and dynamic tone and sound. Erik’s vocals are very standout, hooky, and finely crafted to fit the music perfectly.
While “Devil” Jim Perry on guitar, plays incredibly tasty and original sounding riffs and solo licks and just basically shreds on the entire album. A real nice guy and very humble Jim is the kind of musician that lets his fingers do the talking, and they certainly do. He recently moved to the Spa City and this reporter is looking forward to getting some jam and party time in with this guitar master.
Rob McCauley’s drumming is smart, powerful and right on the mark, with intricate passages of rudimentary genius that really drives the songs to a new level. The harmony vocals sang by all members are the final icing on the Bombay Black cake so to speak, with punch and clarity and a unique sound that only further distances this phenomenal group from the rest of the metal crowd on a worldwide basis.
I caught their show at The West End Smokehouse and tavern on April 9th and the Midtown Demons Down Video shoot and was just blown away by the power, intensity and accurate reproduction of their recordings. They sound as good or better than the actual C.D.’s. when performing live. And when they finished the night with a perfect rendition of Steel Dragons Stand up and Shout, the crowd went absolutely wild including myself. My favorite tracks include “Demons Down” “Let the Right One in” and “Black Widow” out of the twelve. But every song is a brilliant work of musical magic that every rock enthusiast should have in their own libraries. I’m currently on my 30th or so listen and I love the album more every time I spin it. Currently on Triage Records you may purchase the Disc or other merchandise at this web address…or at the shows. ORDER MERCHANDISE OR TICKETS HERE
For more info go to www.myspace.com/bombayblack
