Since the release of "Waking the Dead" I tried to get Spitfire Records to send
RevelationZ Magazine a promotion copy for reviewing. However, lack of communication seems to be the keyword at Spitfire's offices, so I decided buy my copy - but the record was nowhere to be found. In March 2004 I was in the states and decided to look for the album, but it was nowhere to be found in Chicago, Rockford, Detroit and surrounding areas. After making some calls I found the CD in Border bookstore in DeKalb, Illinois.
So why is this CD so hard to find? Is Spitfire Records ashamed of it? Is the band ashamed of it?
No way! This CD is amazing and too good to be forgotten and that's why I decided to write this review. If you own any
L.A. Guns album or are a fan of guitar driven Hard Rock with an edge, you got to have "Waking the Dead" in your CD collection.
Since "Man in the Moon" guitarist Mick Cripps has once again left the band and
L.A. Guns has also gotten new blood in bass player Adam Hamilton. Adam Hamilton handles bass duties and even more important participated in writing all songs on the album in cooperation with the original members Phil Lewis, Steve Riley and Tracii Guns.
"Waking the Dead" opens with a wall of guitars from Tracii Guns playing a really great riff. The heavy beating rhythm of
Don't Look At Me That Way takes the listener back to
L.A. Guns' heyday with a hint of modern metal. Phil Lewis sounds amazing and really provides the song with nerve when he shouts the lyrics.
The groovy
OK, Let's Roll is a tribute to the passengers taking action on the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11. The up-tempo song rocks big time but makes you after rationalize, since the lyrics are breathtaking and personally gives me cold shivers.
The title track is a heavy song, which could have been on the "Vicious Circle" album from 1994.
The melodic
Revolution is vintage
L.A. Guns and among the strongest songs on the album thanks to the brilliant verse and sing-along chorus.
The album's only ballad, with the meaning title
The Ballad, once again proves
L.A. Guns' ability to write classy ballads, compare
Ballad of Jayne, Crystal Eyes, Kiss of Death etc.
The Ballad sounds like part 2 of
Don't Call me Crazy featured on "Man in the Moon". Tracii Guns blasts out a great solo.
The ballad is one of those songs that crawls under your skin after each listen.
Frequency changes pace a few times and has a bit of a psychedelic feel to it. Phil's vocals are stunning though and apart from the slow chorus, the melody is great. The song captures a certain emotion with a lot of guitar pieces adding atmosphere.
The brutal
Psychopathic Eyes is a straight rocker with a twist of punk. Again a journey back to the songs featured on "Vicious Circle". The same goes for the heavy bouncer
Hellraisers Ball, where Andy John's powerful production really does justice to oneself.
After two up-tempo songs the two ultra melodic
Lost In The City Of Angels and
Don't You Cry are both back to the roots of the first album with great choruses, Phil Lewis' voice sounding a 110 percent, amazing hook lines and blistering guitar work.
"Waking the Dead" is the perfect and successful example of an 80's band staying true to their roots. Still
L.A. Guns has a contemporary sound and there is so much power compressed into this small disc titled "Waking the Dead".
Compare the introduction story about this gem almost being hidden from the masses. If only Spitfire had put some promotion behind this release, this album would be a classic among the masses. However, it's never too late...
Written by
Michael Thursday, July 29, 2004
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