Heavy blues for heavy times. The first album in fiver years from the UK's acclaimed blues-rock guitarist.

Vinyl limited to 500 copies, with split red and black effect on the wax itself. London-based John Fairhurst makes heavy blues for heavy times.

In equal parts revealing, vulgar, cathartic and thrilling, the virtuoso guitarist is channelling the discontent felt in the western world to pay tribute to - and to update - the very idea of rock n roll as protest music.

And he's not here to mince his words on his first album in 6 years, 'The Divided Kingdom'.

"Personal greed has far outstripped the need to support the health of society. British politics is a farce.

The Government are liars", states Fairhurst. Powerful statements require powerful music.

And it is with ragged glory that 'The Divided Kingdom' articulates its point of view. Created with his partner in crime, Bristolian drummer Toby Murray, 'The Divided Kingdom' evangelizes the power of rock n roll through sheer bloody performance.

Drawing from the same sonic well that brought us Black Sabbath, Tom Waits, Rage Against the Machine and Captain Beefheart, tracks like 'Blood & Fire', 'Fear' and 'Lies and a .45' prowl with a fury rarely heard in a two-piece, grabbing reality as it sees it and lays it bare for all to see, warts and all, over a heady 37 minutes.

Fairhurst - hailed by Acoustic Guitar Magazine USA as one of the Top 3 Resonator guitar players worldwide - and Murray recorded 'The Divided Kingdom' in part in their own studio.

This freedom to create at their own pace empowered Fairhurst and Murray to dig deeply into themselves and soon a theme for the album started to emerge.

Outside of the socio-political theme evoked by the lyrics, the key challenge was finally achieving the duo's vision as a compact two-piece.

Setting out a musical palette on record that sounded in control, huge, powerful and exciting.'The Divided Kingdom' stands as a tribute to the pair's passion for music and their ever-deepening relationship.

"A true partnership. Toby is my best friend and my brother. We know each other better than anyone.

This is our album, this is our life."