The hard rock supergroup The Dead Daisies was founded in 2013 by Australian guitarist David Lowy and quickly evolved into a rotating Allstar project featuring musicians from bands such as Whitesnake, Mötley Crüe, Journey or Black Sabbath. Despite numerous occupation changes, the core always remained the same: classic, blues-soaked hard rock with powerful print and stadium format. Especially since the return of singer John Corabi, the band is once again more attached to their rougher, earthier early phase.
The Dead Daisies
Some bands work excellently in the studio, others only explode properly on stage. The Dead Daisies are undoubtedly the second category. Live Plus Five is therefore much more than just another live screen in the crowded rock shelf. This album documents a band that is the strongest right where sweat, tube amplifiers and audience energy meet.
The core of the release comes from the Stonedead Festival 2025 in the UK, supplemented by five additional live recordings from Europe and the US. After just a few minutes, it becomes clear why the Daisies have been considered one of the most reliable live bands in modern hard rock for years. The sound is raw, powerful and pleasantly unartified. Nothing seems sterile or over-produced, instead honest stage energy reigns.
With Long Way To Go and Rise Up, the band directly fires two of their strongest live anthems into the audience before songs like Light ’Em Up or Dead And Gone underline the bluesy batting side of the current phase. Frontman John Corabi, whose rough voice swings perfectly between Classic Rock, Sleaze and Blues, is particularly strong. Where other singers are mining live, Corabi seems to be really turning up.
The cover versions also work surprisingly well. Fortunate Son, Helter Skelter or the wonderfully snotty Get A Haircut do not seem like mere compulsory exercises, but like honest bows to the musical roots of the band. This is exactly where this relaxed club atmosphere is created, which Live Plus Five carries over long distances.
The current line-up with John Corabi on the microphone, Doug Aldrich and David Lowy on guitars, Michael Devin on bass and Tommy Clufetos on drums harmonizes impressively confidently and delivers a performance with no discernible weak points.
Of course, the band does not reinvent the hard rock here. But that’s exactly the point: Live Plus Five doesn’t want to be a revolution, but a celebration of classic rock virtues that is loud, direct and full of passion.
The album is available digitally in download and stream on the usual channels. Physically, there is a CD in the Digipak. For the vinyl lovers, a 2-LP limited edition on purple vinyl has been released.