Formed in 2008, Black Bottle Riot was quickly noted by fans and critics as a fresh wind in the Dutch and European rock scene. With 2011’s debut album and 2013 follow up album ‘Soul in Exile’, the band played tons of club and festival shows. September 2015, their third album ‘III: Indigo Blues’ saw the light of day. This album takes everything a couple of steps further: “we sound grittier, meaner and more heartfelt than ever”, states vocalist and guitarist Simon Snel. Crowned ‘probably Europe’s best Southern Rock band’ by De Gitarist Magazine, Black Bottle Riot has played at festivals such as Rockin’ Park, Eurosonic/Noorderslag and Down The Rabbit Hole and over the years the band shared the bill with Pearl Jam, The Black Keys, Black Stone Cherry, Rival Sons and Ryan Adams. Their ‘one minute of fame’ on national television show DWDD led to a support slot for ZZ Top.

In reviews, rock magazines like Aardschok (8/10) and Revolver’s Lust For Life (4/5) foresaw a growing band with no strict musical boundaries, whilst still staying true to itself. “We’re no overnight hype material – we’re in it for the long run” proclaimes (slide) guitarist Mike Sedee. Meanwhile, the musical fraternity and fray within this band of brothers gradually pushed the four men towards a sound, atmosphere and chemistry more of their own. ‘III: Indigo Blues’ carries darker matter than the juke-joint anthem-filled first two albums. Of course, the riffs still invite you to spill your beverage, but a stiff dose of melancholy drags you to shadier corners and more emotional involvement. This is the inevitable expression of personal hardship after releasing the previous album,‘Soul In Exile’. Alcohol, the loss of a loved one and friends, plus loss of day jobs and even homes. There was a period of feeling down and out, taking wrong turns and bad karma while writing the third album. “We definitely aren’t carefree anymore and that adds even more depth and soul to our music” according to bassist Jaap van den Berg. He and his mates manage to translate experiences from this downward spiral into a coherent album rich in moods and tempers. “On our two previous albums we went to great lengths to achieve perfect sounds. III isn’t meant to sound ‘pretty’ or ‘nice’ ” says Snel. While listening to the album in full, you can’t help but to see the wrinkles, bloodshot eyes and grey hair gradually emerging. Because life can give you the blues. And Indigo Blue is the most intense blue of all. This is a band for those who love the tough bluesy rock from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Cult, The Red Devils and Thin Lizzy.

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