Adrian Smith / Ritchie Kotzen – Black Light / White Noise – Album Review

I’ve just listened to “Black Light / White Noise,” the new collaboration between Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith and guitar journeyman Richie Kotzen, and I didn’t hate it, which surprised me more than anyone.

Most rock veterans’ side projects feel like desperate attempts to stay relevant. This one doesn’t. These two guitar dinosaurs somehow managed to create something that sounds fresh without trying too hard. It’s like running into your ex and discovering they’ve gotten fuckable again.

One second, Smith is going to town on his guitar like it owes him money, and then Kotzen jumps in like he’s trying to one-up his drunk friend’s sex story. Yet somehow, these two middle-aged guitar bros aren’t just masturbating with their instruments like every other has-been trying to prove they’ve still got it. Their voices mesh together like two drunks at karaoke who somehow don’t suck.

This isn’t reinventing rock music. It’s comfort rock for people who still own actual CDs. The kind of album you play while driving too fast in your overpriced car because you can’t afford therapy.

If your idea of a wild Friday night includes air guitar and drinking bourbon neat, this is for you.

Track List

01. Muddy Water
02. White Noise
03. Black Light
04. Darkside
05. Life Unchained
06. Blindsided
07. Wraith
08. Heavy Weather
09. Outlaw
10. Beyond The Pale
Label – BMG
Release – 4th April 2025

For all things Richie Kotzen, click HERE; for all things Adrian Smith, click HERE; and to purchase the album, click HERE

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