If their biography is to be believed, MOLLY HATCHET took their name from Hatchet Molly — a deranged woman who lived in the 17th century and quartered her lovers with a fire axe. Having started back in 1978, the Florida sextet rose through the charts fairly quickly on the wave of motorcycle southern rock popularity — their album "Flirtin' With Disaster" is still considered a genre classic, one that fused the drive of English rock 'n' roll with the chugging rhythms of country. "Warriors Of The Rainbow Bridge" is already the umpteenth album from the band, yet it proves there's still proverbial gunpowder in the powder keg, and the musicians aren't averse to occasionally detonating a barrel of hammer-forged creativity. The central composition on the disc, "Rainbow Bridge," is dedicated to the untimely passing of guitarist and band leader Bobby Ingram's wife. Calm and lyrical at the start, it blossoms into a lively rhythm toward the middle, then finishes with a killer guitar solo. It's worth noting that the guitar work on the album is beyond all praise — the interplay of Ingram and the returning Hlubek weaves and unweaves, producing dynamic frictions of a thick, rubber-like sound. Here you'll find boogie, blues, and on "Flames Are Burning," magnificent harmonies in the spirit of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. "Son Of The South" and "Moonlight Dancin' On The Bayou" deliver explosive drive and melodic hooks. "Roadhouse Boogie" charms with its rural abandon. "Warriors Of The Rainbow Bridge" is bebop in a flannel shirt, unkempt and slightly drunk — music that's oily to the touch, smelling of salt and pepper. Sweat and honesty in every note. As long as guys like these stand guard at the rainbow bridge, the magical world of dreams can sleep soundly...
