It has been sixteen years since these guys released anything new, but now they are back, hungrier than ever. The American group achieved commercial success in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their first two records, the selftitled debut “Skid Row” (1989) and “Slave To The Grind” (1991). On the first one are the most popular hits ”18 And Life”, “Youth Gone Wild” and ”I Remember You”. In 1996 the band had sold 20 million albums worldwide. Newly released “The Gang’s All Here” is SKID ROW’s sixth studio material and it sounds wonderfully familiar.

Bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Snake Sabo found each other as songwriting buddies. They discovered that they worked very well together and that was the birth of what would become SKID ROW. Rachel and Snake made a demo with three songs, which guitarist Scotti Hill heard. He loved it and wanted to be in the group and so it happened. These three fantastic musicians are still the keystone of the band.

SKID ROW was formed in 1986. The singer Sebastian Bach and drummer Rob Affuso left the group after ten years and several vocalists and drummers have been in the band since then. Twelve years ago Rob Hammersmith landed behind the drumkit and in the beginning of 2022 Swedish Erik Grönwall (NEW HORIZON, ex-H.E.A.T) happily grabbed the microphone. With a new singer and the producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH, GHOST), they have aimed for their youthful, rebellious, classic sound again.

The debut album became a multi-platinum hit and the follow-up “Slave To The Grind” reached number 1 on Billboard. At that time, of course, they wrote from a completely different perspective than today. Now the producer Raskulinecz has got them back to that train of thoughts, to that approach they had on those first two records. The members think it feels just like in the beginning, when they carefully created songs together. You can both feel and hear that they have enjoyed themselves and had fun. Everyone has been involved and given their input. The spontaneity led to new songs being written during the rehearsals in the studio, which they have never done before. Both “World On Fire” and “Not Dead Yet” were written there, after someone had played new riffs.

After the last three and unfortunately worse discs, it is a relief that they sound so good again. The opening track “Hell Or High Water” is heavier Hard Rock with an 80s touch, a calmer middle section and just the right amount of cockiness. Except nice guitars and bass, we hear a confident, strong drumplaying. Grönwall is perfect as the singer in this band. His voice fits like a glove.

There is smoking action in the title song, something that the explosive singer seems to be very fond of. This track contains a lot of energy. Adrenaline rushes through the listener’s veins and it is impossible to sit still. It is American, classic Hard Rock with a pleasant tempo and a lovely bass melody, where the tones wander up and down. It sounds like a motorbike in the intro of “Time Bomb”, although it is played on the instruments. The song has a Heavy rhythm, with a nice and skilled guitarplaying. Bolan’s bass tones are soft and inviting. I found the recurring “tick, tick, tick, tick” in the lyrics to be a bit disturbing at first, but after a few times I got used to it and think it is perfectly fine, almost so that I do not think about it anymore.

“Resurrected” is a powerful Hard Rock song with a warm undertone and a nice rhythm. All the musicians play very cool and the singer is superb. We hear more of the front guy’s skills in the fantastic and Heavy “Nowhere Fast”. He occasionally sings in a deeper voice and then increases the volume as the tones rise up the scale. The guitarists and above all the bass player are exceptionally good. Slightly meandering bass tones are followed by a fast guitar playing in the intro to “When The Lights Come On”. The song has a cocky, but happy attitude. The delightful playing on the bass strings returns and is heard throughout the whole piece. Here we also find a shorter, but excellently performed guitar solo, which is wonderfully lively.

All the bass melodies on the record are phenomenal. In “Tear It Down” Bolan once again plays brilliantly. Sabo and Hill are also doing a magnificent job. The twin guitars in this superb piece sounds outstanding. The drummer is also fantastic and varied in his performance. The music is rolling and swinging, with a very lovely, flirtatious rhythm. I discover something new every time I listen to the track. Double guitars are also exceptionally nice in “October’s Song”, which is a calm, but strong tune. The guitar solo is followed by a few seconds pause, like the music is braking, before the melody continues with renewed strength. Erik sings emotionally and with a voice full of power. The ending with acoustic strings is harmonious.

The total work is a clean and direct production. “The Gang’s All Here” sounds both a little like I had expected and at the same time like I had hoped for. After listening through all five previous albums, I have to say that the new one is clearly the best. It seems that the group has gained new energy with Grönwall. The guys are now touring the UK and later they will do some shows in Germany. Concerts will take place in Hamburg (Nov 9th), Oberhausen (Nov 10th), Bruchsal (Nov 13th) and München (Nov 14th). Seeing Erik Grönwall in this band must be an experience. I know how incredibly great he was during all the years in H.E.A.T, so if you have the opportunity, take the chance to see SKID ROW live.

I agree with Erik, who says about the new material: “There is a lot of old school SKID ROW in these songs.” I add that it does not always have to be complicated. “The Gang’s All Here” is the sound of fellowship and having a good time. Their music is timeless, straight in your face-Hard Rock. The attitude of being forever wild and young at heart lives on. (Anna)

Bewertung:

 8,5 / 10

Anzahl der Songs: 10
Spielzeit: 41:09 min
Label: earMusic / Edel
Veröffentlichungstermin: 14.10.2022