This website gave Dan Byrne his first-ever review. I know that because he told me on his social media. That was a decade ago, so whatever else you can say, you can’t say he hasn’t paid his dues.
Bones became Revival Black, who were equally superb, until in 2023 Byrne announced he was going solo — as well as performing in a revamped Skin and at the Cozy Powell birthday bash along the way — all of which leads us to This Is Where The Show Begins.
The actual record is a bit like reading the book after watching the film, because back in March MV found itself watching the first date on his mammoth UK tour, during which he played nearly all of the tracks here.
That night I wrote: “That’s Dan Byrne all over: solo, and never better.”
Let’s be real here, people: This Is Where The Show Begins is basically a 40-minute victory lap.
“Saviour” enjoys its restraint before it explodes and swaggers: “I’m gonna take you through hell just to make you feel alive.”
And everything about the rest of it subscribes to the same view: just because you aren’t playing arenas doesn’t mean you can’t play arena rock.
“She’s The Devil” adds a touch of sleaze, there’s some soul to “Praise Hell”, and the 80s feel of “Sober” gives it plenty to commend. All, though, are linked inextricably by Byrne’s astonishing voice. An instrument on its own, he takes everything here in his stride.
“Cherry And Leather” is essentially a modern take on classic rock, but there’s no doubt about the centrepiece.
“Death Of Me” — the one that kickstarted the solo career, he said, and the only one that also appeared on the debut EP — is a brilliant song. It is perhaps the one you’d play to someone to convince them of Byrne’s talent.
“Temple” builds itself to a crescendo and a half, but there’s no restraint about “Pulling Me Under”; it simply roars and demands your attention.
“Hate Me” seems to thrive off the emotion, and it’s at odds with the person who is vulnerable here, but it’s also more interesting than the average hard rock song, going off on sonic tangents as it does. Likewise, the enormous backing vocals only increase the scope of the ending.
“Home” is as emotional as it gets. “We belong to the universe,” he screams in the chorus, and if he ever gets as big as he deserves, then maybe he’ll get to play this to a sea of people.
That’s for the future, and I honestly don’t know where the future takes Dan Byrne. What I do know is this: his show has really, truly begun — and it’ll be one worth watching.
Rating 9/10
