Ricky Warwick

HOW OLD FRIENDS (AND GUITARS) HELPED TURN THE THIN LIZZY SINGER'S NEW SOLO RECORD INTO A SONIC TOUR-DE-FORCE

- Amit Sharma

IT'S EASY TO get the impression that Ricky Warwick has lived many lives.

The Northern Irish guitarist got his break playing rhythm in New Model Army before fronting Scottish hard rock group the Almighty, who reformed last year. Then there's his work alongside Scott Gorham in the latest incarnation of Thin Lizzy and its splinter group, Black Star Riders; one album with supergroup Circus Diablo; plus a whole host of solo releases including this year's Blood Ties, which begins with an ensemble of overdriven guitars that feel loud enough to rattle your teeth.