Blackyard Riot – ‘It Might Get Loud’

(Independent)

Hailing from Germany, Blackyard Riot arrive with a debut that doesn’t sound like a band tentatively finding its feet. Quite the opposite. This is a record made by musicians who have clearly been around the block a few times, learned their craft the hard way, and now want to bottle the raw, sweaty energy of hard rock at its most unapologetic. It Might Get Loud isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel – it’s trying to set it on fire and roll it straight through your speakers.

From the opening moments, the influences are worn proudly on the band’s battered denim sleeves. If you’ve ever worn-out copies of AC/DC, Airbourne or Backyard Babies, you’ll feel right at home here. Big, strutting riffs. No-nonsense rhythms. Choruses built to be shouted rather than politely sung. This is barroom Hard Rock, designed for sticky floors, cheap beer, and amps turned well past sensible limits.

What immediately stands out is the confidence. Too many debut albums play it safe, hedging their bets or sounding like a collection of demos. It Might Get Loud sounds like a band who know exactly who they are and what they want to do. The guitars are front and centre, crunchy, muscular and unashamedly old-school – while the rhythm section locks in with a groove that swings rather than plods. There’s a real sense of movement throughout the album; it doesn’t just bash you over the head, it drives.

Dersim Tugal’s vocals strike the perfect balance for this style of Hard Rock. There’s grit, swagger, and just enough snarl to cut through the wall of guitars without tipping into parody. The delivery feels lived-in, like these songs have already been road-tested in sweaty clubs long before making it to tape. That authenticity goes a long way, especially in a genre where credibility is everything.

Lyrically, don’t expect introspective poetry or concept-album complexity – and thank goodness for that. This is hard rock doing what hard rock does best: celebrating the thrill of volume, rebellion, late nights, and living fast. It’s refreshingly honest. Blackyard Riot aren’t pretending to be something they’re not. They’re not chasing trends or modern gimmicks. They’re chasing that primal rush that made us fall in love with rock music in the first place.

Production-wise, It Might Get Loud hits a sweet spot. It’s polished enough to sound powerful and punchy, but it never loses the raw edge that gives the album its bite. The guitars sound like real amps in real rooms, not sterile digital simulations. The drums have weight and space, giving the songs room to breathe and swing. Importantly, nothing feels overcooked. This album understands that hard rock needs a bit of dirt under its fingernails.

As the record rolls on, the consistency is impressive. There’s no obvious filler, no tracks that feel like they’re just there to pad out the runtime. Each song serves the album’s central mission: deliver loud, riff-driven rock with hooks you’ll remember long after the final chord fades. That’s no small achievement, especially for a debut.

Blackyard Riot waste absolutely no time setting their stall out. ‘Rollin’ Thunder’ explodes out of the gate with a driving rhythm and a riff that’s built for open roads and heavy right feet. There’s a definite AC/DC-style swing to the groove, but it never feels like a carbon copy. This is a statement opener – loud, confident, and unapologetically rock ’n’ roll. If this track doesn’t make you turn the volume up immediately, check your speakers.

The pace doesn’t let up on ‘All Known Man’, which leans into a tougher, slightly darker groove. The guitars dig in deeper here, with a chunky backbone that gives the song real weight. Tugal’s vocals have a gritty authority that suits the track perfectly and the chorus lands with just enough hook to stick without softening the edges. This one feels like it was made to be played live, fists pumping in time with the beat.

‘It Might Get Loud’ is pure mission statement material. Everything Blackyard Riot are about is packed into this song: big riffs, simple but effective lyrics, and a chorus designed to be shouted back at the band. There’s strong Airbourne energy here, but again, it’s delivered with conviction rather than imitation. This track doesn’t overthink things – it just delivers the goods, loud and proud.

‘Higher’ introduces a slightly more melodic edge without losing the album’s hard rock backbone. The chorus has a real lift to it, giving the song a sense of momentum that feels tailor-made for festival stages. The guitars still crunch hard, but there’s a bit more space here, showing that Blackyard Riot can mix dynamics into their sound when they choose to. This was the track I gravitated to first for repeated plays and is definitely a highlight of the whole album, the fact it’s is the most melodic track on the album just emphasises my own personal tastes.

With ‘The Wolf’ the band taps into a darker, more menacing vibe. The riff prowls rather than sprints, and the rhythm section locks into a groove that stalks forward with intent. There’s a gritty, almost Backyard Babies-style swagger running through this track, giving it a dangerous edge. It’s a standout moment that adds depth and attitude to the album.

‘(Not The One To) Blame’ brings a strong dose of classic hard rock attitude, built around a no-nonsense riff and a punchy, direct chorus. The lyrical theme fits perfectly with the delivery – defiant, straight to the point and dripping with confidence. It’s one of those songs that feels instantly familiar in the best possible way, like it’s been part of the hard rock canon for years.

‘It’s All Right’ offers a slightly more laid-back groove while still keeping the amps firmly cranked. There’s a bit more rock ’n’ roll swing here and the band sound like they’re having a blast playing it. It’s the kind of track that gives the album breathing room without killing the momentum – proof that Blackyard Riot understand pacing as well as power.

‘Poor Man’ is a gritty, blues-tinged hard rocker that leans into working-class themes and raw emotion. The riff is solid and grounded and the vocal delivery feels especially convincing here. Poor Man adds a touch of grit and realism to the album, showing that Blackyard Riot can bring substance as well as swagger.

If there’s a pure adrenaline shot on the album, this is it. ‘Light ’Em Up’ is fast, fiery and tailor-made for sweaty club shows. The guitars blaze, the rhythm section pushes hard, and the chorus is built to ignite a crowd. No frills, no filler – just hard rock doing what it does best.

Closing the album ‘Hell On Wheels’ keeps the energy high and sends things out in style. There’s a sense of reckless momentum here, like the band throwing everything they’ve got into one final blast of noise. It’s a strong closer that leaves you wanting to go back to the start and hit play all over again.

Track by track, It Might Get Loud proves that Blackyard Riot’s debut is anything but tentative. This is a hard rock album built on experience, passion, and a genuine love for loud guitars and big hooks. No filler, no pretence – just honest, fist-pumping rock ’n’ roll. If this is just the beginning for Blackyard Riot, things could get very loud indeed.

What really elevates It Might Get Loud, though, is the sense of fun running through it. Too many modern rock bands take themselves far too seriously, forgetting that this music was born out of joy, excess, and a healthy disregard for restraint. Blackyard Riot clearly get it. This is music made by people who love hard rock, who grew up blasting records too loud, and who still believe that a great riff can solve most of life’s problems.

Is it revolutionary? No. Does it need to be? Absolutely not. In a world where hard rock often struggles for mainstream attention, albums like this are vital. They keep the flame alive, reminding us that stripped-back, riff-heavy rock ’n’ roll still has plenty of life left in it – especially when delivered with this much conviction.

In the end, It Might Get Loud does exactly what it promises on the tin. It’s loud, proud and packed with the kind of hard rock that makes you grin like an idiot and reach for the volume knob. For a debut album, it’s remarkably assured, and it firmly establishes Blackyard Riot as a band worth keeping an eye (and ear) on.

If you like your rock hard, your riffs big and your music free from unnecessary nonsense, then Blackyard Riot’s It Might Get Loud deserves a place in your collection. Turn it up – and if the walls start shaking, don’t say you weren’t warned.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘Higher’

Review by Woody