Los Angeles hard rock band Blacklist Union have released their sixth studio album, Slay The Dragon, a record carrying deep personal and professional meaning for the group.
Blacklist Union – Slay The Dragon
Following the success of Mississippi Moonhound, Up In Smoke, and their latest single Dyin’ 4 U, hard rock band Blacklist Union have unveiled their 12-track album Slay The Dragon. While the record embraces the band’s signature retro rock sound that 90s fans will instantly recognise, it also represents a spiritual rebirth for frontman Tony West. Before creating the album, West travelled to the Amazon jungle seeking healing and renewal after a difficult divorce, an experience that deeply shaped the intensity and emotion driving Slay The Dragon.
From the opening tracks, the band showcases everything fans love about them: ferocious riffs, relentless drumming, and unapologetic nods to classic influences like Guns N’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots. Songs such as Mississippi Moonhound and Up In Smoke set the tone with pure energy and unapologetic nostalgia.
But Slay The Dragon isn’t just about heaviness. Lyrically, the record digs deeper, weaving stories of recovery and self-discovery. Standouts like Can You Heal Me and Free At Last highlight this spiritual undertone, giving the album a layer of sincerity that goes beyond distortion and grit.
There are also nuanced touches throughout. All Hail The King opens and closes with sounds of the Amazon jungle, reflecting West’s respect for the place that inspired his healing. The title track, Slay The Dragon, introduces folk instrumentation that feels almost medieval in its storytelling, adding another dimension to the album.
As the record progresses, Blacklist Union balances intensity with introspection. Tracks like Horns and Halos and Hey Mr. Superstar lean into more atmospheric and reflective territory, with the latter offering a tongue-in-cheek look at fame. One of the strongest moments arrives with X Marks The Spot, where soaring guitars, echoing vocals, and a sweeping chorus make for an irresistible anthem.
“Slay The Dragon stands as a modern epic of resilience and renewal, brought to life through sharp production and fierce, hard-hitting instrumentation.”
Fans in Los Angeles can experience the album live when Blacklist Union take the stage at Bar Sinister on Saturday, September 13.
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- Blacklist Union Breaks Free On ‘Mississippi Moonhound’
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Words Javier Rodriguez
