Biography
The Black Star Riders emerged as a hard rock outfit rooted in the periodic reunions of Thin Lizzy. Their story traces to 2010, when veteran guitarist Scott Gorham once more assembled the classic group, an effort that followed multiple revivals dating back to 1996. The lineup featured Gorham alongside original drummer Brian Downey and longtime keyboardist Darren Wharton, plus bassist Marco Mendoza, vocalist Rick Warwick, and rotating guitarists that included Viv Campbell, Richard Fortus, Damon Johnson, and Christian Martucci. Their first release, All Hell Breaks Loose, appeared in 2013; later records such as The Killer Instinct (2015), Another State of Grace (2019), and Wrong Side of Paradise (2023) further refined the band’s signature mix of classic and roots-infused hard rock.
Thin Lizzy performed concerts in 2010 and 2011 while also developing songs intended for a fresh album under the Thin Lizzy banner. Gorham and Downey ultimately felt it inappropriate to issue new material under the Thin Lizzy name in deference to the late Phil Lynott. In late 2012 the musicians adopted the Black Star Riders title, drawn from the outlaw gang depicted in the film Tombstone. Ahead of the first recording sessions Downey stepped away, explaining that the demanding touring regimen required of a young band exceeded his capacity. Wharton likewise exited to devote attention to his main project, Dare. Gorham then brought in Jimmy DeGrasso, previously of Alice Cooper and Megadeth, to fill the drum chair. Produced by Kevin Shirley and issued on Nuclear Blast in late spring 2013, All Hell Breaks Loose marked the band’s studio debut. During 2014 Marco Mendoza departed and Ratt and Lynch Mob bassist Robbie Crane joined; the same year the group delivered its second album, Killer Instinct, whose singles included “Finest Hour” and the propulsive title track.
A new single, “When the Night Comes In,” preceded the February 2017 arrival of the third studio album, Heavy Fire. Later that year DeGrasso left and Black Label Society’s Chad Szeliga took over on drums. The band toured Europe and the United States through 2018, after which founding guitarist Damon Johnson exited to pursue a solo career. Christian Martucci of Stone Sour stepped in, and the refreshed lineup entered the studio in early 2019 with producer Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Uriah Heep) to cut a fourth album. Released in September, Another State of Grace topped the U.K. Rock & Metal Albums Chart. Gorham departed in 2021 to concentrate exclusively on Thin Lizzy; Szeliga also stepped down, clearing the way for drummer Zak St. John. The group signed with Earache Records and returned to the studio under Jay Ruston’s guidance, resulting in the 2023 release of Wrong Side of Paradise.
Thin Lizzy performed concerts in 2010 and 2011 while also developing songs intended for a fresh album under the Thin Lizzy banner. Gorham and Downey ultimately felt it inappropriate to issue new material under the Thin Lizzy name in deference to the late Phil Lynott. In late 2012 the musicians adopted the Black Star Riders title, drawn from the outlaw gang depicted in the film Tombstone. Ahead of the first recording sessions Downey stepped away, explaining that the demanding touring regimen required of a young band exceeded his capacity. Wharton likewise exited to devote attention to his main project, Dare. Gorham then brought in Jimmy DeGrasso, previously of Alice Cooper and Megadeth, to fill the drum chair. Produced by Kevin Shirley and issued on Nuclear Blast in late spring 2013, All Hell Breaks Loose marked the band’s studio debut. During 2014 Marco Mendoza departed and Ratt and Lynch Mob bassist Robbie Crane joined; the same year the group delivered its second album, Killer Instinct, whose singles included “Finest Hour” and the propulsive title track.
A new single, “When the Night Comes In,” preceded the February 2017 arrival of the third studio album, Heavy Fire. Later that year DeGrasso left and Black Label Society’s Chad Szeliga took over on drums. The band toured Europe and the United States through 2018, after which founding guitarist Damon Johnson exited to pursue a solo career. Christian Martucci of Stone Sour stepped in, and the refreshed lineup entered the studio in early 2019 with producer Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Uriah Heep) to cut a fourth album. Released in September, Another State of Grace topped the U.K. Rock & Metal Albums Chart. Gorham departed in 2021 to concentrate exclusively on Thin Lizzy; Szeliga also stepped down, clearing the way for drummer Zak St. John. The group signed with Earache Records and returned to the studio under Jay Ruston’s guidance, resulting in the 2023 release of Wrong Side of Paradise.
Singles
