Chainsaw Charly and Killer Kim crossed paths over a whiskey and coke in December 2021 at Rock N’Eat during the Mo(r)moros Death Fest in Lyon. Kim had recently departed the Lyon-based thrash band Shotgun Logic, while Charly, a newcomer to the region, had a collection of songs but no band to bring them to life. By January 2022, the concept of Star Rider had quickly taken shape. That same night, Charly also connected with Läther Deth (formerly of Electric Shock, Butchered, and Rising Steel) and offered him the role of lead guitarist.

After short stints with Victoria on bass and Nick Crash on drums, the lineup solidified with Duncan on drums and Alex Renegade (Takedöwn, Vinjo) on bass, ready to record their debut EP.

The members of Star Rider, inspired by their love for Hard Rock, AOR, NWOBHM, Heavy/Speed, Glam, and Thrash, channel much of their influence from the late ’70s and early ’80s. Drawing on legends like Motörhead, Diamond Head, Saxon, Def Leppard, Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, Exciter, Dokken, and Warning—as well as modern torchbearers like Enforcer and Midnight—their sound fuses melody, powerful riffs, speed, virtuosity, and raw energy.

Star Rider’s lyrics cover a range of themes, from the lighter side of life (alcohol, parties, romance, motorbikes, adrenaline) to deeper topics (space, spirituality, love, mortality, and the struggles of the music world).

Review

“Journey” kicks things off with crystal clean acoustic guitar melodies that feel somewhat warm and give you that loving fuzzy feeling. The bass gently comes in before SMASH! The drums give us big stabs and majestic guitar work says hello with nice mid tempo scales. Now i am geared up!

“Outta Time” explodes with frantic guitars that rip and roar. Drums pummel and storm forward accompanied by twanging bass lines. And of course the vocal work is on point. I love the chorus shouts of “outta time” especially with the high screams. Kind of reminded me slightly of Olafs work in Enforcer! But i think this track is one of the those that builds up and up over time. The solo was sizzling and the breakdown just after brought back that warm fuzzy feeling again before the pace reverted back to full speed! Killer track!

“Rock Muscle” certainly knows how to flex! This is one of those songs that packs a lot of swagger and attitude. Throwing itself around without a care in the world. This is a mid tempo stomper that has ballsy group shouts of “Rock Muscle” in the chorus. You know this is going to be one of those tracks that get’s the crowd joining in! Half way through it seems to dial in on the instrumentation letting you get into the groove of things. You are then given a tasty harmonised solo which is somewhat delightful! Another hard hitter full of flair!

“Resistance” comes spiralling in with some quick picking melodic scales and tearing rhythms. Then it would not be burning hot metal with out a good old high pitched scream. Just like “Outta time” this is another one of those of those songs that will punch you in the face with chunky rhythms and feelings. The choruses change tempo for a moment to give you some heart to heart. But the highlight of this song, the cherry on the cake is the solo section. Holy cow i wanted it to go on. Who let of the firework? We then return to another passionate chorus and the main riff to finish things off!

“Deal Breaker” chugs along under the burning sun, rays in your face. This is another mid tempo banger with heavy and hungry guitar work. Again you have more attitude, more determination in the vocals. This feels like one of the songs with a classic heavy metal choruses. Simple yet very catchy and certainly another crowd pleaser. Throw in some hot and smoking guitar licks and you have another very solid song indeed!

“Interlude” returns to the gentleness and delicate sounds of the intro with more touching acoustic guitar work but this time it is accompanied by beautiful piano notes that ring out into space. Short and simple but works well giving the album a breif moment to breathe!

“Shoot to Kill” fires things up once again. Turn on the ignition and get ready to speed along with a track that is pumped full of energy feeling like an unrelenting force! Guitar riffs are a plentiful and there are ton of moments where you get some nice high screams. I particularly love the moment where it drops the guitar work into a lower sequence which feels very menacing. The harmonised guitar licks that follow are very uplifting and give a very opposite feeling to the passage before. There is even a killer drum breakdown that you do not often hear in songs which as a drummer myself, i especially appreciated!

“Angle Mort” is next up. A light breeze welcomes us with someone getting into their car, then driving away. The best way i can describe this song is that it feels like a high speed chase. Speeding along at 100 miles an hour, looking back trying to loose cops. Big rhythms, thundering drum and bass patterns that never slow and fiery vocal work that works so well every else going on. But then again Star Rider give us the magic once again with one hell of an electric guitar solo section. Of course the car crashes at the end…

“Rings of Saturn (Take You For a Ride) tumbles in with tom work, bass notes feeling more upfront, twisting and turning giving off a funky vibe. I love the lustrous guitar harmonies that glisten and sparkle. This a mid tempo track that feels quite different to other songs on the album. While the rhythms ring out there are a lot more harmonised guitar licks which is the kind of stuff i love. The low and playful backing vocals you hear through out the track are a very nice touch. It certainly feels like you are up there in the cosmos

Finally we reach the end song “Hell Breaks Loose” which is another one of those foot to the metal songs. Being someone who has not heard a lot of the band, It is clear that Star Rider know how to write strong and punishing head bangers. And this is definitely one of those. Like previous songs it has the pace, big and powerful group chants of the chorus words and guitar work that will put you into a sweat. So get some coffee in you and be prepared to break your neck and pump those fists!

Conclusion

Well what can I say! Star Rider are back with a killer album, that goes all out delivering burning heavy metal. If your someone who loves ferocious guitar work, ball breaking screams and scorching solos then it is all here! As I have not heard much of their music, I am certainly won over and will have to go back and listen to more of their work! Well done!

TheNwothm Score: 9/10

Facebook StarRiderBand
Instagram@starrider.official
Youtube Star Rider TV
Bandcamp StarRiderBand
Mailcontact@starrider.fr
site web starrider.fr