Rick Pierce Group‘s new album, Brick by Brick, is a robust celebration of the enduring spirit of classic hard rock and metal. Spearheaded by Rick Pierce, renowned for his influential work with Q5 and TKO, the album brings together a cadre of seasoned musicians, including bassist Izzy Rehaume, drummer Frankie Rongo and vocalist Chris James. Their collective expertise culminates in a sound that is both nostalgically familiar and, at times, a little more contemporary.

The album opens with Tick Tock, a track that immediately transports listeners back to the heyday of Q5, featuring churning riffs and a driving rhythm that epitomise the band’s signature style. The title track, Brick by Brick, follows suit, delivering a powerful punch that reinforces the group’s commitment to their hard-hitting roots. It’s a solid opening combination, but doesn’t stray far from the well-trodden path of metal-by-numbers.

Only marks a notable shift, introducing a melodically inclined hard rock vibe. Chris James’ grunge-inflected vocals imbue the track with an almost Mark Lanegan-esque quality, blending seamlessly with the AOR framework to create a compelling earworm that will linger in the mind. If there was any justice in the world, this track would be blaring from every rock station across the globe…

Remember the Bataclan stands as a poignant tribute to the tragic events in Paris a decade ago, when almost a hundred people were killed attending a concert by Eagles of Death Metal. Adopting a stately, Dio-meets-Sabbath epic approach, the juxtaposition of heavy metal stylings with such a sombre subject may initially seem incongruous, especially given the actual style of EODM’s music, but the sincerity of the sentiment shines through, offering a heartfelt homage to the lives lost.

On the other hand Can You Feel It finds the band in their element, delivering early to mid-nineties radio-friendly hard rock. Pierce’s exceptional guitar work is complemented by dramatic, hook-laden melodies and another standout vocal performance from James, highlighting the group’s strengths in crafting memorable rock anthems. This, to this reviewer at least, seems to be a good wheelhouse for the band moving forwards.

Love Hate brings us back to the classic metal realm, with a Dio-like epicness that works in its favour thanks to less specific, more universal lyrics. James’ vocal performance here is nothing short of spectacular, proving his range and power.

Closing with A Storm is Coming, the band delivers another slice of classic metal, tinged with a subtle Southern flair, which is, thanks in the most part to the vocals, reminiscent of early Black Stone Cherry. Despite its familiar feel, the track’s charm lies in its spirited execution, particularly in the vocal department.

Brick By Brick is an album that feels like a homecoming for metal fans who’ve been yearning for that classic sound with a few twists along the way; Rick Pierce and his band of rock ‘n’ roll journeymen have crafted an album that’s both a nod to their storied past and a tribute to the power of stickability. While some tracks might feel a tad formulaic, the highlights – particularly Only and Can You Feel It – shine brightly, offering moments of genuine excitement and quality. It’a a record of solid, enjoyable melodic metal, proving that even veterans can still build something new, one brick at a time.

Brick By Brick releases on February 21st.