Preacher Stone - By the Horns (2025) Hi-Res

Not for nothing does the chorus of the title track on Preacher Stone’s latest record contain the words “gotta have some fun at the end of the week.” That’s the band’s entire ethos in one line. Working-class, hard-grafting and straight-talking, this North Carolina outfit has always made music for people who live it — and “By The Horns” is no exception.

Produced by Glenn Tabor — whose CV includes the likes of Def Leppard — the album sounds huge, and the extra polish only adds to the grit. Preacher Stone are as southern rock as it gets: no pretension, no frills, just great songs delivered with swagger and soul.

Take “Saddled and Rode” for example, where the twin guitar attack of Ben Robinson and Darrell Waitt absolutely shines. Their solos aren’t just flash; they’re pure feel, crafted with that instinctive touch you only get from players who’ve lived inside this music for decades.

“Writing On The Wall” carries that same sense of conviction, while the slower “Blessing In The Curse” shows another side of the band — reflective, powerful, and loaded with heart. “Old Joe” has a confident, storytelling swagger that feels classic already, and the bluesy “Last To Know” hits like a song you’ve heard before in the best possible way — familiar, comforting, and still absolutely thrilling.

Then there’s “Come What May,” where the line “when shit gets real, I don’t back down” sums up the spirit of the band better than any press release ever could. Defiant, proud, and unshakably authentic, it’s the sound of a group who know exactly who they are.

By the time the album closes with “Think By Now,” that spirit reaches its peak. “I’d know better by now, but I don’t,” sings Ronnie Riddle — and really, why should they? Why grow old gracefully when you can still raise hell?

“By The Horns” is timeless in that sense — the sound of a band still loving what they do, still playing from the heart, and still living every word they sing. Preacher Stone aren’t chasing trends. They’re doing what they love.