Black Water Rising – S/T (2010)
Brooklyn, NY hard rockers, Black Water Rising released their stunning self titled debut digitally a few months ago. The band recently signed with Giddy Up! Records, and released their debut on CD in March. If you never checked out Black Water Rising, take notice now! I have seen people compare Black Water Rising to Black Label Society mixed with Led Zeppelin & many more. It doesn’t matter what band you compare BWR to. The important thing you must know is this CD is good…..DAMN good!
If you aren’t sold by the searing opener, “The Mirror”, then “Brother Go On” [see video below] will likely knock you over the head. Both songs are two of the strongest opening cuts that I have heard from a new band in a long time. “Hate Machine” is a real grower track that has a stoner rock groove, with some retro 70′s guitar thrown in for good measure. There are times when Rob Traynor reminds me of Layne Staley on this song. Very cool!
Johnny Fattoruso blasts out some awesome riffs on “Black Bleeds Through”. This is another killer tune that deserves massive radio airplay! It is nearly impossible to listen to “Blessed” without going into a foot-tapping, head-banging glee. I thought the hiss & pop effects of playing an old LP was a pretty cool touch to open up “No Halos”. This song is a catchy rocker that gets in your head and wont let go.
The best song on this CD has to be “The River”. Johnny Fattoruso sounds as if his soul was possessed by Tony Iommi on this tune. “The River” is packed with outstanding heavy riffs that put a big smile on this metalhead’s face. I want to hit replay every time I listen to this song.
Overall, I am quite extremely impressed with Black Water Rising. Rob Traynor is one of the best new vocalists to hit the hard rock scene this year. Johnny Fattoruso’s fat riffs, and Oddie McLaughlin’s heavy bass grooves truly deliver one amazing listen. Don’t miss out on one of the best CD’s of 2010!
For more information on Black Water Rising, check out the band’s Reverbnation page. You can buy your own copy of the Black Water Rising CD, at this link.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. The Mirror
2. Brother Go On
3. Hate Machine
4. Black Bleeds Through
5. Blessed
6. No Halos
7. Living Proof
8. Rise
9. The River
10. Sale On Your Soul
11. Burn It Down
Black Water Rising is:
Rob Traynor-Vocals/Guitars
Johnny Fattoruso-Guitars
Mike Meselsohn-Drums
Oddie McLaughlin-Bass
Black Water Rising is the “real deal”. These guys play rock the way it was meant to be played: hard, loud and in your face! The lyrics are deep and the music will have you jumping up and down/banging your head before you know it. Come see them live – you won’t be disappointed!!!
Excellent Hard Heavy music. These guys are HOT!
BWR is Hard Rock the way it’s supposed to be played. The band says they sound like Godzilla stepping on your head…and they’re right!