Album Review: Blacklist Union – Slay the Dragon (BLU Records)

LA hard rockers, Blacklist Union are back with their sixth studio album, ‘Slay the Dragon’, set for release on September 12th, 2025, via BLU Records.

Reenergised and refocused, Blacklist Union hit a career high with their brand-new album, ‘Slay the Dragon’, a twelve-track hard rock banger that kicks off in groove infused style. It’s Mississippi Moonhound, and it shows off the easily definable anthemic qualities that give both the track, and the album as a whole, wider appeal.

Foot-tapping and finger-snapping rock potency, be warned, you’re going to have a lot of these tracks stuck in your head for hours afterwards.

Case in point, Up in Smoke, a moody, but powerful, sounding track with strong riffs, grungy vocals, and a chorus that is so easy to sing along to. Then along comes Can You Heal Me to give off a Guns ‘N Roses crossed with Stone Temple Pilot vibe, especially the way the vocals drawl in sleazy fashion. Before Dyin’ 4 U’s varied guitar tones and infectious chorus comes along to put a big smile on the face, and Do It for the Song demands movement, rewarding the listener with body-shaking rock groove.

All killer stuff and varied too, the halfway point arriving quickly and surprisingly as the album feels like it has just gotten started. That’s the kind of form that Blacklist Union are on though and the big riffs of Free at Last doesn’t change that fact in the slightest. The slower tempo really lets the guitars shine here, but the vocals are (once again) really impressive.

The latter part of the album is just as enjoyable too. First, things get really exciting with the lively All Hail the King, a track you can bang the head too, while thoroughly appreciating the harmonised depth. Then, things get a bit more poignantly potent with the dramatic Horns and Halos (great lyrics), and Hey Mr. Superstar’s cinematic edge meshes well with a more intense showcase of epic sounding rock. Before both Rock N Roll Soldier and X Marks the Spot deliver big choruses, memorable melody, and lovable rock and roll energy.

So, how do you end an album as powerful as this? By getting even more creative with the title track. Cool doesn’t even cut it, and it’s testament to the variety of this album that no one will be feeling bored at this stage. In fact, there’s likely to be a genuine desire to hear more! It doesn’t get better then this (for now) as far as Blacklist Union releases go.

Blacklist Union – Slay the Dragon Track Listing:

1. Mississippi Moonhound
2. Up in Smoke
3. Can You Heal Me
4. Dyin’ 4 U
5. Do It for the Song
6. Free at Last
7. All Hail the King
8. Horns and Halos
9. Hey Mr. Superstar
10. Rock N Roll Soldier
11. X Marks the Spot
12. Slay the Dragon

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