BLINDSIDE BLUES BAND - Keepers Of The Flame

“Keepers of the Flame”, the phenomenal sixth studio disc by the BLINDSIDE BLUES BAND, features 11 tracks (77 minutes) of awesome, over-the-top, solid to the core, killer bluesy heavy guitar riffage that kicks ass and reigns supreme. Featuring special guests Davey Pattison & Jeff Martin, “Keepers of the Flame” is all about the Rock and delivers on every level with a powerful, in-your-face, dual six-string assault. Excellent follow up to the “Long Hard Road” disc.

Blindside Blues Band is led by Mike Onesko, a true “old school” heavy guitar riffmaster and force to be reckoned with on the guitar who plays the instrument like he means it. Onesko is on a mission to keep Real guitar music alive and he sets the record straight on the mega-awesome, aptly-titled “Keepers of the Flame” disc. Mikey O. digs deep and delivers some of his best/strongest riffage to date on this serious heavy guitar disc. BBB features long-time, good musical brother and fellow axeripper Scotty J. who nails down some serious, bad-ass, killer bluesy heavy guitar lead action. An excellent classic dual guitar team, Onesko and Scotty J. work well together and give it all they got on this amazing disc. Both guitarists kick serious heavy guitar ass. “Keepers of the Flame” also features the powerhouse rhythm section of Emery Ceo on drums and Kier Staeheli on bass, both excellent players in their own rite who dig in deep and lock down hi-energy, solid, killer heavy rock grooves throughout the disc. As an added bonus Jeff Martin (Badlands / Racer X) and Davey Pattison (Robin Trower / Gamma) land on the “Keepers of the Flame” disc as Special Guests. Jeff Martin plays drums on half the disc and contributes some bluesy harmonica and background vox on several tracks. Martin delivers the “goods” and is a solid man of rock. Davey Pattison lays his awesome, soul-powered vocals down on a deep, amazing, heavy version of the vintage Robin Trower jam entitled “Hannah” which is dedicated to the late, great James Dewar. Mr. Pattison sings his ass off on the track and is one of the greatest, unsung rock vocalists out there. His performance does both the track and James Dewar “musical justice”. Somewhere in Rock Vocal Heaven, Brother James is smiling down upon us. “Keepers of the Flame” also features a way-kool version of “Maybe I’m a Leo” which features Grooveyard Records main man Joe “grOOveDaWg” Romagnola and Mike Varney from Shrapnel Records both rippin’ up their axes on the classic Deep Purple jam. Two Guitar Label dudes rippin’ it up on the same track. How kool is that?!!! Romagnola & Varney are true visionaries of serious heavy guitar rock and they make heavy guitar history with this monumental guitar jam. On top of all the mind-blowing abundance of serious bluesy heavy guitar riffage found on the “Keepers of the Flame” disc, as an added bonus there is a killer 13 minute (+) live in the studio improv studio jam entitled “Abbajus” as a Hidden Bonus Track that features the dual drum power of Jeff Martin and Emery Ceo. This is one bad-ass heavy jam that will rip your face off and rock your brain into the ground. Recorded @ Prairie Sun Studios in California and mixed/mastered by the talented Don Moore in Texas, “Keepers of the Flame” is a classic, mind-blowing heavy guitar statement that will stand the test of time.

The BLINDSIDE BLUES BAND: “Keepers of the Flame” disc is HIGHLY recommended to fans of MOUNTAIN, LESLIE WEST, CREAM, ROBIN TROWER, PAT TRAVERS, DERRINGER, MONTROSE, BOC, MOXY, U.F.O. w/ SCHENKER and all other classic heavy guitar rockers. Fans of the previous BLINDSIDE BLUES BAND discs including the excellent “Long Hard Road” disc will bang their heads against the wall and foam @ the mouth over this mega-awesome bluesy heavy guitar riff monster. If you dig fierce, relentless, serious bluesy heavy guitar riffage of the highest order, tune in @ all costs. Guitar Rock ain’t dead yet, Mike Onesko & Co. are here to save the day with the magnificent “Keepers of the Flame” disc.

CHECK OUT THE AWESOME MP3 SAMPLES FOR: KEEPERS OF THE FLAME

By a bizarre coincidence the 77-minute time duration of this disc actually correlated with the spirit of 1977 in musical texture and vibe. Just about anything with Jeff Martin (Badlands, Racer X) and Davey Pattison (Gamma, Robin Trower) is going to get your attention on quality alone and Keepers of the Flame does not disappoint. This is the sixth studio record by the Blindside Blues Band, which still finds its anchor in “old school” guitarist Mike Onesko. Letting it fly from the get go “Sonic Love” builds on a muscular riff with a thundering backend. Onesko’s guitar tone and vocal styling remain captivating while rumbling along with much the same flavor as Leslie West, Rick Derringer and Pat Travers. It’s no wonder he’s popular with Tim Bogert and Aynsley Dunbar. Amid the guitar fury, tracks like “Back Stabber,” “Electric Wave” and “Jagged Edge” are blues-infused hard rock coming close to Black Sabbath / Mountain in overall presence. The Strat is loud and clear driving the tracks along while the wah adds color to each solo.
Musical brother and fellow axe grinder Scotty J. lends a hand creating a monster twin guitar sound. Together they bring magic to the title cut “Keepers of the Flame” and the keyboard-laden “I Wanna Be Free.” Martin’s drumming is precise and relentless as he guests on half the record’s eleven songs. Emery Ceo covers the other half with bass master Kier Staeheli locking into a memorizing groove. His thumping bass adds plenty of funk with a just enough blues to sync up Onesko guitar boogie. Surprising is the inclusion of both Mike Varney (Shrapnel) and Joe Romagnola (Grooveyard Records) swapping licks on “Maybe I’m A Leo.” Two label executives wailing away – now, that’s gotta be a first. Davey Pattison makes his soulful appearance on the vintage Robin Trower classic “Hannah” which not only pays homage to Trower but the late, great James Dewar. A 13-minute plus bonus track lays hidden beneath “Bluesion” called “Abbajus.” The extended studio improv-jam gets its balls from the dual drum power of Jeff Martin and Emery Ceo.
Todd K. Smith (The Cutting Edge) (3.08)