Night Horse exploded on to the Los Angeles rock scene in 2008, playing their first live show ever, while mixing their debut EP The Dark Wont Hide You for Tee Pee Records. Since then, Night Horse has caught the ears and eyes of critics and fans alike with their unique ability to blend the classic sounds of hard rock and blues music with a much needed breath of contemporary fresh air. “If Sonic Youth had been immersed in an ocean of Allman Brothers inspiration, or Soundgarden had been steeped in late 60s Fleetwood Mac, then they might have turned out something like this. Night Horse take traditional blues-rock, spark it up with riotously noisy flashes and drag the rhythms through an early-90s grunge experience. Moreover, they’re cohesive, charismatic and compelling.”
Night Horse return with their highly anticipated sophomore effort Perdition Hymns, produced and mixed by Matt Bayles (Pearl Jam, Mastodon, The Sword). Perdition Hymns is a patent demonstration of a group that has quickly become a well-refined song-writing machine. The band has chiseled the six-minute jam style songwriting of The Dark Wont Hide You into the hook-laden gems that comprise Perdition Hymns; with riff driven catchiness and soaring melodies that stick.
Songs like "Choose Your Side" and "Shake Your Blues" demonstrate guitarists Justin Maranga and Greg Buensuceso’s flair for intricately weaving guitar leads and rhythmic patterns, much like their classic predecessors Thin Lizzy or The MC5 did, giving room for dexterity and technicality without ever losing power or failing to leave massive sonic impression.
Vocalist Sam James Velde balances his swagger with infectious melody and phrasing. His delivery is deliberate and impassioned, while also being diverse. At times harkening the reckless abandon and attitude of AC/DC's Bon Scott and the refined poise of Free's Paul Rogers, he holds steady to his own confidence and identity while spinning tales of love, loss and regret, without a plea for mercy or a tear to shed. This is best exemplified on songs like "Come Down Halo" and "Black Clouds'.
The rhythm section of bassist Nick D'itiri and drummer Jamie Miller stands as the brick and mortar; the glue that binds taut rhythms and locked grooves together to harness Night Horse's assault. Not to fall below the bar set by greats such as Led Zeppelin, Melvins or early Aerosmith, D'itiri and Miller approach this attack with swing and finesse, giving way to a driving and impenetrable rhythmic force, shining bright on songs like "Angel Eyes" and "Hard to Bear".
Perdition Hymns is a rock and roll classic for current times; a statement of what's to come within today's musical landscape; a missing link to years gone by; and a glimpse into what is about to become.