Gary Moore's 1989 release, After the War features a return to the metal guitar riffing of his 80's records ("Speak for Yourself" and "Running From The Storm"), while continuing to explore more conventional pop dynamics with mixed results - it works great on "Ready to Love." Also, after dedicating his last album to fallen childhood friend and musical partner in crime, Philip Lynott, Moore finally honored him in song with the moving "Blood of Emeralds." As it turned out, this would be Gary Moore's last hard rock album before becoming a "born-again" bluesman.