Jack Starr is a renowned guitarist whose name is synonymous with classic US metal. He is returning in 2025 with ‘’Out of the Darkness Part II’’, a direct sequel to his 1984 solo debut ‘’Out of the Darkness’’. Just to remind to the younger fans, that this was the first solo album for the guitarist after he left the band that he found in 1981 and that was the legendary VIRGIN STEELE.
It was also the first album for the great vocalist Rhett Forrester after he left RIOT (unfortunately he lost his life at the very young age of 34 years, in 1994, after a tragic incident). A magnificent album, that I feel, it was a little bit overlooked / underestimated and did not get all the recognition and popularity it deserved through the years. Now, it’s a good opportunity for the younger metalheads to become acquainted with that one as well.
‘’Out of the Darkness Part II’’ doesn’t just revisit the spirit of its predecessor. It feels like a natural continuation, albeit with the benefit of a new vocalist and a modern yet not polished or ‘’plastic’’ production. The album is packed with that kind of anthemic heavy metal that fans of Starr’s previous work, as well as fans of bands like RIOT, VIRGIN STEELE and in general all the US Metal afficionados will undoubtedly appreciate.
Giles Lavery‘s (also WARLORD, ALCATRAZZ, DRAGONSCLAW) vocal performance is a standout. He delivers each track with power and clarity, hitting soaring high notes and adding a layer of epic grandeur to the music.
Being a die-hard WARLORD fan for decades and having observed very carefully / thoroughly the vocal evolution of Giles at least in the last 12 years, I can definitely say that he has done remarkable progress in those years. The most important factor being that he is now more mature than ever before as a singer and more self-confident as a front-man as well.
Starr‘s guitar work remains the focal point, with blistering solos and crunchy riffs that are both technically impressive and full of feeling. The twin guitar attack, with Eric Juris (also WARLORD) contributing to this potent blend of power and melody, adds indeed depth and excitement to many of the tracks.
While the album largely sticks to a classic heavy metal formula, there’s enough variation in tempo and mood to keep things interesting. The rhythm section, featuring Gene Cooper on bass and Rhino (ROSS THE BOSS, ex. MANOWAR) on drums, provides a sturdy and powerful foundation for the guitars and vocals to soar. It needs to be mentioned that the album features guest appearances by Mark Zonder (A-Z, WARLORD, ex-FATES WARNING) on drums and Jimmy Waldo (ALCATRAZZ, NEW ENGLAND, WARLORD) on keyboards.
The songwriting is solid throughout. The track ‘’Hand of Doom’’ kicks off the album with a powerful, driving energy, while tracks such as ‘’Rise Up’’ and ‘’Tonight We Ride’’ offer a more melodic approach but are equally forceful anthems. ‘’Underneath The Velvet Sky’’ provides a moment of slightly darker, more atmospheric heavy metal. The album also features some truly epic moments, particularly on tracks like ‘’Endless Night’’, ‘’The Greater Good’’ and ‘’Soulkeeper’’ which showcase the band’s ability to craft compelling and dynamic metal compositions. Apart from those songs that I highlighted, the listener will find only brilliant songs in this album and no fillers or indifferent songs at all.
In summary, ‘’Out of the Darkness Part II’’ is a worthy successor to Jack Starr‘s 1984 album. It’s a strong offering of traditional US metal and Hard Rock, bursting with powerful vocals, blistering guitar work, and memorable soul-lifting songs filled with pure emotion. Fans of Jack Starr‘s legacy will find only beautiful songs to enjoy on this album. For me personally, it proves that Starr‘s passion for heavy metal remains as strong as ever, delivering an album that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
‘’Out of the Darkness Part II’’ has been released on the 28th of April 2025 by BraveWords Records and is available on CD and all digital services.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
