Release Date: April 14th Record Label: Fron s.r.l
The regular reader of these pages can handle the tale of Mr Tracii Guns and Guns 'N' Roses: We all know how that played out. Today, Mr Guns is back with his LA Guns, particularly Black Diamonds, due out this Friday (April 14th) via Frontiers Music s.r.l.
Produced by the man (Tracii Guns) himself, Black Diamonds is the band's fourth album since Guns formed the band in 1988. The band have had their well-documented issues but has rekindled the original energy since Guns and Vocalist Phil Lewis reformed the band in 2017. The album was recorded last year, and the 11 tracks show significant 1970's influences from Led Zeppelin, and, more recently, Guns and Roses, Alice Cooper.
The album opens with the post-grunge vibes of 'Betray You', Lewis croons over distorted, psychedelic riffs. Next is the hook-laden grooves of 'Wrong About You'. LA Guns blend that hard rock edge with ballads like 'Diamonds' and 'Gonna Lose'. They do try to keep the listener interested with catchy songs and the odd riff. Unfortunately, Black Diamonds stands to suffer for sounding too much like the Zep.
That doesn't mean it is a bad album at all. There are some foot-stompers like 'Babylon' and 'Got It Wrong' that keep those rock listeners' hips' swaying. The album flows nicely and I tend to forget it is only 41 minutes long. Tracii Guns takes on extra duties on guitar and mellotron. He combines well with Phil Lewis and fellow guitarist Johnny Martin on 'Lowlife' to give an extra edge to proceedings. LA Guns certainly sound like they had a lot of fun recording this.
Overall, LA Guns may not be shining all Black Diamonds here. However, there are enough gems for the band to sparkle and remind bands of who they really are.
Words by Anselm Anderson. Rating: 7.5/10
Black Diamonds will be released via all streaming platforms and available retail outlets on April 14th via Frontiers Music s.r.l.
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You Betray
Wrong About You
Diamonds
Babylon
Shame
Shattered Glass
Gonna Lose
Got It Wrong
Lowlife
Crying
Like A Drug
Time: 0.41.14
Line-Up:
Phil Lewis - Vocals
Tracii Guns - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, MellotronAce Von Johnson - Electric Guitars
Johnny Martin - Bass, Electric Electric Guitars
Shawn Duncan - Drums (live)
Adam Hamilton - Drums (studio) & Strings
Produced by Tracii Guns
Social Media:
https://www.lagunsmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/L.A.GunsOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/laguns/
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