Blackout States

MICHAEL MONROE - hugely influential front-man, force of nature, multi-instrumentalist and revered rock 'n' roll icon - releases new studio album, "Blackout States"; this 13 track outing, produced by Chips Kiesbye (The Hellacopters, Nomads, etc.) in Gothenburg, Sweden, and mixed by Petri Majuri in Helsinki, Finland, is the follow-up to "Horns And Halos" - a Finnish chart-topper in 2013.

With "Blackout States", Monroe's current touring and recording outfit - bassist Sami Yaffa (ex-Hanoi Rocks/New York Dolls), guitarist Steve Conte (ex-New York Dolls/Company Of Wolves), guitarist Rich Jones (ex-Black Halos/Amen) and drummer Karl Rockfist (ex-Chelsea Smiles/Danzig) - provide strong creative support for a ground-breaking artist whose reputation continues to flourish, with many of rock 'n' roll's most noted performers (including Dave Grohl and Slash) citing his unwavering drive and three-decade-plus career as a genuine source of inspiration.

As with the preceding album "Horns And Halos", the new recordings see Monroe both toasting the future and honouring the past, occasionally giving the nod to glam punk pioneers, Hanoi Rocks, the group he forged his name with in the early-to mid-'80s.

Says Monroe: "I'm extremely excited about our new album, 'Blackout States'. It has all the ingredients of a perfect rock 'n' roll record - strong melodic songs with great meaningful lyrics that defy all clichés, delivered with a punky, ballsy attitude by a killer band. I highly recommend 'Blackout States' to anyone who's even a little bit interested in what real, authentic, high energy rock 'n' roll at its best sounds like today."

There you have it like it is - Michael's own statement leaves very little need for any further hype. The irrevocable fact remains written in stone that "Blackout States" simply goes from strength to strength. As much as Monroe has accomplished before, no doubt "Blackout States" has to be regarded among his best work to date. From the album launcher "This Ain't No Love Song" to equally driving closer "Walk Away", every song is laden with verses to die for and crowned with shiny choruses. To cap it all, instead of your regular rock 'n' roll drivel, in the true Michael Monroe fashion these gems are iced with lyrics that taste like bits of real life - seen through the lens of a man who's seen it all, done it all and lived through it all - a couple of times over.