Fresh from the debut album, All Hell Breaks Loose (2013), Black Star Riders are set to release a new studio album, The Killer Instinct, in February. The album will be followed by a full UK and Eire co-headline tour.

Speaking with Skullbanger.net, members of the band discuss the new album, their decision to change the band name in respect to Thin Lizzy, songwriting inspiration, tour dates and their big plans to come back to Finland for shows. Watch below:

The band toured 2013’s All Hell Breaks Loose for a year – playing across the globe. October 2014 saw them gather in Nashville, TN and enter the studio with heralded producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains, Mastodon) to start recording the follow up. The result is The Killer Instinct.

 

 

Ricky Warwick explains, “Life's not fair, never has been, never will. Sometimes you have to live with a killer instinct just to survive in the ongoing pursuit of happiness. Because nobody can do for you what you should be doing for yourself.”

The Killer Instinct tracklisting:

“The Killer Instinct“             

“Bullet Blues”                                    

“Finest Hour”                                    

“Soldierstown”                                  

“Charlie I Gotta Go”                          

“Blindsided”
“Through The Motions”
“Sex, Guns & Gasoline”
“Turn In Your Arms”
“You Little Liar”

 

 

According to a press release, the energy in the studio from a year of touring, and Black Star Riders gelling as a creative force has resulted in a truly powerful sophomore effort.  From the Irish-tinged rock of “Soldierstown” to the balls-out twin guitar riffing of “Sex, Guns & Gasoline”. From the dirty groove of “You Little Liar” to the acoustic “Blindsided”, this is a band coming of age. The Killer Instinct« will see Black Star Riders cement their place as one of the most exciting contemporary rock acts.

 

 

Damon Johnson says, “Nick Raskulinecz came riding out of the sunset like a Viking warrior, with his record collection and arsenal of killer guitars and amplifiers and proved to be the world class producer we had heard so much about. Indeed, the rumors are all true. There's no doubt that Ricky and I had written a sizable number of songs, but Nick patiently walked through the full song list with the entire band and made sure we focused on the material to best represent Black Star Riders in 2015”

Black Star Riders  head out on a co-headline UK and Eire tour with Europe throughout March 2015. All dates can be found Blackstarriders.com.