For someone just releasing his first album, Dan Byrne has already got a lot to show for himself. If you are a regular Planet Rock listener, you may not even realise he’s a new kid on the block (kind of), as his single “The Death Of Me” has been very loved, being on air since 2024. His stage career is well underway, too, with festival participations (Planet Rockstock and Winter’s End), recently accompanying John 5 and now launching an acoustic record store tour. With the amount of support he’s been getting across the country, to say that his debut CD is highly anticipated would be a huge understatement.
This Is Where The Show Begins is a no-filler release boasting some absolute bangers with the potential to make it into any radio A-lists. This high-power, upbeat trac klist is a sequence of potential hits, adding to which is the relatability of the lyrics (a high percentage of them evidently infused with love frustrations, current and past) helping transform negative emotions into a raw ball of energy. The eternal muse for musicians, women, has a special role here as a demonic, yet irresistible and seductive force. As frustrating as they are, maybe, the end of the album brings peace with a fairly good ballad about finding a place to call home.
Most tracks start with a cool opening riff (“She’s The Devil”, “Cherry And Leather”, and “Pulling Me Under” standing out in that respect), setting the expectation for bombastic development, and they fail to disappoint. Each song is carefully crafted, thoughtfully composed and arranged, with a mastership and songwriting talent that you’d expect from an all-rounded musician. A parallel with the US wonder Chris Daughtry pops into mind: is Dan the gradually fledgling UK version of that phenomenon? The level of performance and quality of music is just as high, so the future of his career is looking promising.
This is an album for those who are fans of classical and melodic rock, with a few heavier sections, but generally within the realms of the golden 80s (“Sober” starting like a typical hit from that era, borderlining with pop), on par with contemporary bands such as Swedish melodic rockers H.E.A.T. and Eclipse (to name a couple). The tunes are catchy, memorable, and perfectly balanced. Vocal wise, Dan’s voice is fantastic: clearly professionally trained, raw and powerful, yet fairly mellow as a timbre (think Mark Tremonti of Tremonti and Alter Bridge, and Shane Greenhall of Those Damn Yankees).
This album will be enjoyed best with volume on max; it is the perfect driving or gym companion. The current acoustic tour is also worth checking out, as it brings another dimension to this release: the emotional depth and abilities of this singer who is showing yet one more side to his talent.
- Review by Angelina Pelova.
- This Is Where The Show Begins is released via Frontiers Music on 22nd May 2026.
- Official Website | Facebook | X | YouTube Channel
Track List:
1. Saviour
2. She’s The Devil
3. Praise Hell
4. Sober
5. Cherry & Leather
6. Death Of Me
7. Temple
8. Pulling Me Under
9. Hate Me
10. Home
