After four years, the all-star Hard Rock duo Smith/Kotzen returns with their sophomore album, Black Light / White Noise, recently released on April 4th, 2025, via BMG.
A follow-up to their 2021 self-titled debut album, Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Richie Kotzen (The Winery Dogs) teamed up again in 2024 to record Black Light / White Noise at The House in Los Angeles, California, as they handled the production themselves, with the mixing performed by Jay Ruston.
A pleasant surprise to see Smith and Kotzen working together again, considering their busy schedules, the ten track creation of Black Light/White Noise is a hard-charging and rambunctious record that encapsulates not only the duos tremendous influences from the past, but also the influence that they will have on the next generation of Rock heroes, as their musical virtuosity and impeccable songwriting is on full display.
From the first note of the opener “Muddy Water,” a wild ride begins. A firecracker starts, full of airy noodling on the guitar, and the track eventually morphs into a rolling groove dotted with almost supernatural guitar solos. The vocal chemistry between the two is crisp and full of emotion, allowing for greater depth to develop within the track, making it not merely a fantastic rock song, but a moment of poetry.
Immediately following “Muddy Water” is the lead single, “White Noise,” and if there was ever a perfect snapshot for the album in its entirety, it is “White Noise.” The single gloriously illuminates Smith and Kotzen’s talent, with rising vocals supported by thick riffs and funky grooves.
With elements that nostalgically recall the sounds of Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple, the song that birthed half the album’s title, “Black Light,” was a midnight adventure that Smith/Kotzen state almost did not cut for the record. However, thankfully, they chose to include the song and subsequently inserted a track that could be the most integral to the album’s sound and direction. With drums that sound like Thor is pounding on them, the group includes riffs so hot the two guitar heroes must have been wearing gloves, and bluesy vocals that highlight Smith’s ability to access almost countless genres on the same record.
As the album continues spinning, you continue on a fantastic journey of deep diving into the modern uncertainties and challenges we all face as a population. The seventh track on the album, “Wraith,” is a musical billboard for the deceit and deception that permeate our daily existence. Moving through life unsure of who to trust, which directions to pursue, the song illustrates an unknown beneath the surfaces that we travel; people do not appear to be what they say, decisions, far from black and white, are constantly influenced by those who choose to cheat and steal to take advantage.
Coming to a close with “Beyond the Pale,” Black Light / White Noise ceases with an almost anthemic number. Opening with a soaring guitar riff, the track moves through emotions rapidly, buoyed by vocals that yearn for something better, something more to hope and wish for. A Prince-esque guitar solo acting as the track’s conclusion is a sendoff, with you counting down the unknown number of days until Smith/Kotzen’s potential next release.
Black Light / White Noise showcases the masters that Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen genuinely are. In truth, Modern Rock is not always bursting with this sort of ingenuity, so the privilege of experiencing, once again, Smith and Kotzen’s virtuosity as songwriters, musicians, and vocalists is not taken lightly. The album deserves repeated listenings with an almost encyclopedic collection of influences. The album displays divine guitar solos, delicate and incredibly soulful components, with sometimes nearly unbelievable instrumentation. Drawing from acts such as Deep Purple, Cream, and Prince, there is no shortage of Classic Rock hits on the record.
Black Light / White Noise cements the necessity of Smith and Kotzen’s continued partnership. Their seamless ability to combine their influences into a tightly knit and powerful album is genius. It offers a listening experience without comparison and is fueled with the hard rock energy that today’s charts desperately miss. With such a performance, the album is a can’t-miss project and will delight all who venture down its powerful journey. That is why Cryptic Rock declares Black Light / White Noise a must-listen, giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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