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It might take more time, but the long way around is almost always more interesting. Welsh alt-rock band Cardinal Black epitomise the long way round.
Rewind to 2010 and the trio of Tom Hollister (vocals), Chris Buck (guitar) and Adam Roberts (drums) were riding a wave of hype, having received a speight of stellar endorsements from some of the biggest names in British rock, most notably from the iconic Steve Winwood who had invited the band to come and record at his secretive Wincraft Studios.
A triumphant live set at Sonisphere in 2010 was followed by a phone call from the manager of Guns N’ Roses, Alan Niven who, offering his services as manager, invited the band to Arizona to begin an attempt at breaking into the notorious Nashville scene in the USA.
The lure of America proved irresistible for the young trio and they made the move to Arizona to begin work on a debut album under the guidance of one of rock music's most successful managers.
As always seems to be the case, reality rarely mirrors expectation and their time in the US proved difficult. A new country, a new industry, homesickness, expectation and the classic creative differences led to the deterioration and erosion of the band's momentum, eventually leading to singer Tom Hollister calling time on the band and coming back to the UK.
Over the last decade, the band have travelled their individual roads whilst always remaining friends. Most notably has been the rise to fame of guitarist Chris Buck, who was named 'Best New Guitarist in the World' in 2019 and has gone on to forge a successful career as one of the most inventive and recognizable guitar players in the world.
Drummer Adam Roberts found work as a session player and performer whilst vocalist Tom Hollister also moved into session work and tour management but the three maintained their musical connection and would sporadically meet up to perform and play together.
Perhaps it was just a matter of time, but eventually and inevitably the roots of desire for new music and the feeling of unfinished business led to the trio beginning the writing and recording of new records in early 2020.
Call it a resumption or a fresh start, the trio decided to officially reform under the name Cardinal Black, recruiting Sam Williams as the band's bassist. Bigger and older but also wiser, more refined and more focused; Cardinal Black are here, and they've got plenty of stories to tell.
