Iron Maiden‘s Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen have reunited for their sophomore album, entitled Black Light / White Noise, which will be released on March 7th via BMG. The official music video for the LP’s second single, “Black Light”, can be watched below.
The dynamic, multi-layered clip, again produced and directed by Kevin and Richard Ragsdale a.k.a. The Ragsdale Brothers (Daughtry, Dorothy featuring Slash, Theory Of A Deadman), features the duo performing with bassist Julia Lage and drummer Bruno Valverde, alongside acclaimed Russian acrobat, contortionist and former Cirque Du Soleil performer Gyulnara Karaeva.
“Black Light” was a song that very nearly didn’t make it onto the album until a late-night session saw them strike studio gold. And, luckily, they did as not only is it a song about deceit and deception, where the black light is a metaphor that reveals the truth about a person lurking under the surface, but it’s become a true album highlight, even lending its name to the album title. With help from U.K. photographer John McMurtrie, it also inspired the album cover with his UV lights picking up special paint on the black/rosewood custom Fender and Charvel guitars.
“It was a fun video to make,” confirms Richie, “as they have all been when we play together. Adding the UV performance section was fantastic and took us back to the album shoot that we did in London last year.”
“Our friend Gyula really added something to it,” adds Adrian, “it helped the song’s narrative of all is not what you see!”
The track itself rides in on a thunderous drum beat and a seething riff before Adrian‘s raw bluesy vocal explodes from the speakers complemented by Richie‘s higher-pitched rock tones. A dramatic bridge leads into a knockout chorus, demonstrating the quality and infectious hooks that are to be found throughout Black Light / White Noise.
Pre-order the album here.
Recorded at The House, Los Angeles, California, produced by Richie and Adrian and mixed by Jay Ruston, the ten-track album is a masterclass in modern rock, with Adrian and Richie’s prodigious talents as songwriters, musicians, and vocalists on full display.
And that partnership has flourished and grown beautifully since their debut self-titled album in March 2021. Released to widespread critical acclaim, it was a melting pot of hard rock and traditional R&B that was a powerful calling card for what these two icons could do. On its follow-up Black Light / White Noise the duo has risen to even greater heights, producing a truly magnificent collection of songs that stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest work either of them has ever produced.
From the opening heavy blast of “Muddy Water” through to the epic and stately closer “Beyond The Pale,” these ten songs illustrate the myriad talents at Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen’s disposal and reveal that this is both an album and a partnership that will endure for years to come.
Atmospheric, ambitious, diverse, and brilliant, Black Light / White Noise not only features stratospheric guitar solos and raw, bluesy vocals but soulful touches, intricate playing, beautiful songwriting, and an assured poise and style that brings to mind a host of legendary musicians (Thin Lizzy, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Cream, Free, Deep Purple) but is undeniably the work of Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen in perfect harmony.
Richie Kotzen comments: “We’re so proud of this new album – it follows on from our debut and the EPs by focusing on collaborating on riffs, lyrics, harmonies, and vocals. There’s a Smith/Kotzen DNA now and it’s definitely something we need to get out on the road with. I was pleased to work with my friend Jay Ruston on the mixing of the album, let alone my wife Julia (Lage) – who actually plays on ‘White Noise’ as well as four other tracks.”
“We’re like an extended family now,” adds Smith. “We have a sound and a vibe and I don’t think many artists are doing what we do – sharing the vocals and the guitars – it takes me back to those classic bands like Humble Pie & Cream – which is not a bad place to start!”
