Review REECE ‘Blacklist Utopia’

American singer David Reece can look back on an exciting career so far which includes times with Teutonic metal pioneers Accept, as well as Reece was singing in Bangalore Choir albums and was part of Bonfire too.

In addition, the singer also released albums under his own name and a next Reece longplayer is what will hit the shelves in late October this year. ‘Blacklist Utopia’ is the title of his newest solo album that he recorded together with Andy Susemihl, Malte Frederik Burkert and Francesco Jovino. With Susemihl not only adding the riffs, but also having been a partner when it comes to songwriting, ‘Blacklist Utopia’ became a well-sounding metal release that builds on tradition and transfers it into the now. Songs like ‘Red Blooded Hell Raiser’ and the pounding ‘Before We Fade Away’ aren’t shining with frills and gimmicks. Reece and bandmates are driven by the spirit of rock’n’roll and that’s what fuels the album with needed energy.

I first song that has been revealed was ‘I Can’t Breathe’, taken from the ‘Blacklist Utopia’ album. The song’s certainly an entertaining rocker and there are even better ones on the record. The powerful ‘Highway Child’ is one of them and ‘Most of the Time’ fires on all cylinders too. Last but not least, there is with ‘American Dream’ a half-ballad that reminds of Bonfire, completing the package the singer offers with ‘Blacklist Utopia’.

David Reece new album is very solid, from all perspectives. The rock and metal world will not stop turning and this isn’t the intention of the album anyhow. Instead, fans of well-crafted riff-based music will find a lot of moments of joy while cruising through the tracklist of ‘Blacklist Utopia’.