Review: Black Dog Moon – Hell and Back
Independent (November 28th 2025)
Reviewer – Grant Foster
Sometimes, just sometimes, you get to hear an album and it’s like, ‘’What the fuck was that?!’’
But in a good way.
And the more you listen to it, the more evident it is you have something special on your hands (and ears). To a point where you’re not able to listen to anything else.
Even if a porn star was shouting at you, “Another blowjob?“, you wouldn’t be able to tear yourself away from the speakers.
And yes, I know she could fellate you whilst the music was playing, but you’re kinda missing the point……😉
Black Dog Moon hail from County Down, Ireland. This is their second album, the self titled ‘Black Dog Moon‘ being the first.
There’s great big thick slabs of Thin Lizzy all over the place. In that wonderful way where not only is it a homage, but an integral part of not only their sound and stained into their very souls.
Oh and add Rory Gallagher into the equation as well.
Secondly, you have to be brave to open the album with a lilting ethereal, rock blues drenched number (‘The Prophecy‘). But that’s what Black Dog Moon have done. And it’s that good, it works.
Just when you think you have got their musical identity, track two, ‘Neon Queen‘ has all the heavy hallmarks of early W.A.S.P.
I kid you not! It easily could have been on Blackie and Co’s debut album. Vocalist Conal’s vocal delivery is eerily close to Mr Lawless.
To say BDM are a ‘blues rock band’ just doesn’t do them justice.
To me, they are quintessentially a rock band. Their sound harks back to the late 70’s, but you have to be able to deliver songs in spades to actually carry this off. And BDM have done that with aplomb here.
The guitar interplay on album closer ‘Black Hearts and Diamonds‘ is sublime.
‘1985‘ is BDM at their most accessible. A look back at simpler times, it’ll hook you and have you singing the chorus in no time.
‘Heavy Shot of Love‘ is closer to ‘Neon Queen‘ in spirit and will surely be a live staple.
It’s when BDM ease off the pedal, you get to see the full picture and textures that the band possesses.
Whether it’s the entirety of ‘Ghostly Scots Pine Tree‘ and ‘Leaving Town‘, the beginning of ‘Holy War‘ or ‘Lost My Mind in California‘, these musicians are not one trick ponies by any stretch.
Yet when they rock, they do so in a controlled, coordinated way. Like an Exocet missile.
The production only adds to the era experience on offer here. Clear, warm and sounding like an analogue vinyl, it ticks all the right boxes.
Conal, Nicky, Stevie, Dylan and Daniel have made a body of work here that begs your indulgence.
I’ll be surprised if this distinctive sounding band aren’t destined for bigger things if they keep stretching their musical wings and muscles.
Well done lads.
Tracklisting:
- The Prophecy
- Neon Queen
- The Ghostly Scots Pine Tree
- 1985
- Heavy Shot Of Love
- Leaving Town
- Holy War
- Gratitude
- Lost My Mind In California
- Hell and Back
- Black Hearts and Diamonds
Line-up:
Conal Montgomery – vocals
Nicky Brown – bass
Stevie Glackin – drums
Daniel Martin – guitar
Dylan Kelly – guitar
Web Links:
Discover more from ROCKPOSER DOT COM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You must be logged in to post a comment.