Musical Style: Rock	Produced By:
Record Label: Independent	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2026	Artist Website:
Tracks: 11	Rating: 80%
Running Time:

Hard music fans looking for distinctive seventies classic rock nuances and purposeful yet well-appointed heavier eighties practicalities, will find plenty to like about the July 7, 2026 independently released Hard Road sophomore album Let’s Go.  The Nashville, Tennessee based act traces to 2020 when founded as a ‘jam band’ by lead guitarist Bo Fawbush, drummer Chris Haines and bassist & vocalist Chris Dickens.  Subsequent to the three recruiting lead vocalist Kris Robbie and co-lead vocalist and guitarist Paul Norfleet, Hard Road entered the studio to begin work on its late 2024 and 80% Angelic Warlord reviewed debut full length Change The World (also independent).

Hard Road altered its lineup for Let’s Go with the departed Robbie and Norfleet replaced by new front man and second guitarist Tim Walker, whom brings a rich and stately mid-ranged vocal style reminiscent to Frank Clifton Herring (Messenger).  Dickens continues to present with his signature lower register and soulful (almost baritone) vocal delivery.  Second change involves Hard Road upping heaviness into hard rock territory - noting those eighties influences - all the while staying true to its signature melody focused songwriting.  Remaining constant is manner in which Hard Road upholds its mission to ‘(share) our love and faith in Jesus Christ’ and ‘to shine the Light of Truth into this dark world with songs that will get your feet to tapping while encouraging and convicting you’ (quoting its press material).

Albums opening title track finds Hard Road at the top of its game.  “Let’s Go” impresses as an anthem like arena rocker, exuberant with backing vocals repeatedly chanting its title, catchy hooks to spare and Walker’s correlative abounding vocals.  I can see why Hard Road decided to make “Let’s Go” albums lead off single.  Lyric snippet:

Well, I got down on my knees today
I tried to pray all my troubles away
But the Lord said son listen here
You’re gonna have trouble but don’t you fear

I know the secret to life
It no mystery to me
Just open up your heart people
Jesus saves, He’ll set you free

“I’ve Been Changed” mirrors the newfound Hard Road heavier side.  Truncated at three minutes, song crosses the hard rock threshold as slamming Rez Band style guitar riffs collide with Dickens’ rumbling vocals and bustling rhythms of a forthwith variety.  Improvement in production over Change The World manifests in a cleaner bass mix and crisper guitar tones.

“Kingdom Of Eternity” revisits the group’s classic rock roots.  Song revels in Latin rhythms akin to Santana, the laid back and reserved but jazzy centering exuding compelling melody and Fawbush’s Southern style harmonies and bluesy licks and chops.  Everything works to perfection on this one.

Second coming inspired “Walk Among The Clouds” is another choice track.  With momentum decelerating to a crawl, song revels in atmospheric guitars and haunting bass to build upon the moody and ubiquitous melody swayed aesthetics.  A mid-point break includes moving narration from I Thessalonians 4:16.  Lyric snippet:

Sometime I feel so weary
I want to end it all
But I stay in the battle
Until I hear my Saviors call

You won’t break me
I’m gonna stand my ground
One day Christ will call me
I’m gonna walk among the clouds

Revitalized blues rocker “Wake Up” captures the spirit of Glenn Kaiser Band and Stevie & The Saints.  It proves mirthfully conceived, uplifted as renewed Southern flavorings and layered backing vocals articulate of the indelible - song is catchy as anything here - but also exhorting as a baritone backend voice galvanizes the assured refrain.  I see this one being a concert favorite. 

Play on words song “Dead Man Rockin’” returns to a heavier heading albeit not forsaking the bluesy partialities.  Grainy guitars make an authentic statement, aligning with ample palatable bass, as does fetching ambition, distinguishing the hard hitting but beckoning refrain.  Give kudos to Haines for his invigorated timekeeping.

Lone song in which I remain on the fence is “What Can I Do”.  I find it one of albums lightest as a middle of the pack acoustic ballad with a far from bad but unremarkable worshipful allure.  That said I see how others might take to it in light of the inviting melody and appearance of talented guest vocalist Trina Walker (wife of Tim Walker).  Lyric snippet:

Oh, but what can I do
To show you it’s true
Now I would give my life away
Just to give you one more day before it’s too late

And how much pain can one man bear?
And how much love does that man share?
He gave His life, you know He died for you and me
Oh, but what else could He do to make us see?

Hard rocker “Runnin’ (Devangelical)” kicks in at once, driven with its skewering rhythms and in your face guitar aptitude to make a vitalized mid-period Rez Band like statement.  Periodic calmer moments bolster the warmly inclined melody.  Fawbush is spot on with his Stu Heiss inspired lead guitar.

Also in the three-minute range, “Shake Off The Dust” embodies blues based heavy rock walking a fine line between the seventies and eighties.  It delivers invigorating moments in which guitar hits particularly hard and others settling down to a finely woven form to see layered vocal melodies prevail.  Norway’s Sarepta is a potential point of reference.

Second ballad “God Never Forgets” is a good one.  It brings a contemporary as opposed to hard rock ballad feel, gradually conveyed acoustically its untroubled span in also mirroring the worshipful.  Putting the song over the top is the inspired lead guitar instrumentally carrying the final inspired minute.  Lyric snippet:

But He remembers
He never fails
His Word is true
His love prevails

Through every storm
Through every test
I rest in knowing
God never forgets

Hard Road delivers a treat in classy closing instrumental “Jet”.  This is where its ‘jam band’ influences come into play, realized in catchy hard rock riffs fused with elaborate bass and composite lead guitar.  Hard Road comes together on what in my opinion is another cut that would translate well live.

If interested in a compelling merge of the seventies (classic rock, blues & Southern rock) and eighties (straightforward hard rock) you can do no wrong with Hard Road sophomore album Let’s Go.  Similar to Change The World, you will encounter plenty of gripping hooks, melodies and riffs to entice with repeat play, albeit noting Let’s Go takes the consistently heavier heading.  The group shines as a tight u nit, whether it is the spot on rhythm section, fitting guitar leads or vocals ranging from middle to lower register.  I look forward to a follow up release.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Lets’ Go” (3:50), “I’ve Been Changed” (2:47), “Kingdom Of Eternity” (3:44), “Walk Among The Clouds” (4:46), “Wake Up” (3:07), “Dead Man Rockin’” (4:31), “What Can I Do” (3:15), “Runnin’ (Devangelical)” (4:01), “Shake Off The Dust” (2:59), “God  Never Forgets” (4:13), “Jet” (3:31)
 
Musicians
Bo Fawbush - Lead guitar
Tim Walker - Lead & Backing Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Chris Dickens – Lead & Backing Vocals & Bass
Chris Haines - Drums

Additional Musicians
Trina Walker - Lead Vocals