November 17th, 2017 - Leo V. Ursus: A Conspiracy Of Stars

Good afternoon and happy Friday! The Meista here getting the weekend set off right with "A Conspiracy Of Stars" by UFO and a Leo v. Ursus: Adversus from Firestone Walker Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: UFO
• Title: "A Conspiracy Of Stars"
• Recorded: 2014 at the Ecology Room Studios
• Release date: February 23rd, 2015 (21st studio album by UFO)
• Record company: SPV/Steamhammer
• Production: Chris Tsangarides
• Album cover art: Tristan Greatrex 
• Personnel: Rob De Luca (bass), Phil Mogg (vocals), Vinnie Moore (all guitars), Andy Parker (drums), and Paul Raymond (keyboards)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy metal, heavy blues rock
• Sound: With that classic UFO sound, "A Conspiracy Of Stars" is straight-forward, hard-rockin' goodness!  Mogg's vocals are spot-on and feel as rich and heartfelt as his work in the 70s.  Moore's guitar work is bold, powerful, and wonderfully executed.  Raymond soars on the keys  And Parker and De Luca pound out a heavy blast of grooves and rhythms throughout.
• Major themes: Life, relationships, love, rebellion, desire, honesty, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "The Killing King"
2. "Run Boy Run"
3. "Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun"
4. "Sugar Cane"
5. "Devil In The Details"
6. "Precious Cargo"
7. "The Real Deal"
8. "One And Only"
9. "Messiah Of Love"
10. "Rollin' Rollin'"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California)
• Website: http://www.firestonebeer.com/
• Brew: Leo V. Ursus: Adversus
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) / Imperial IPA (IIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 8.2%
• Ingredients: Pacific Northwest hops and Pilsner malt
• Pour: It pours a cloudy golden peach hue with a frothy, 2-finger, white head with sticky and intricately layered and sustained lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the Leo V. Ursus: Adversus is chalk full of tropical and citrus fruit along with earthy and dank notes and biscuity malt.  There are hop-forward aromas of stone fruit (peach and apricot), mango, grapefruit rind, pineapple, pine resin, bitter herbs, white pepper, crackery biscuit, and light caramel.
• Taste: The taste is dank, citrusy, piney, earthy, spicy, and crackery.  There are notes of pine, black tea, herbs, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, sourdough bread, pepper, and very light caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Leo V. Ursus: Adversus is crisp, bitter, very hoppy, and very dry with a dry and bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Leo V. Ursus: Adversus from the fine folks at Firestone Walker is a bold and an intense double IPA... perfect for the hard-rockin' power and might of legendary rockers UFO!  'Nuff said!
    

Cheers!!  Rock on!!