DIAMOND LANE – Terrorizer (2014)
*
L.A. rockers DIAMOND LANE already have two full length albums and two EPs under their belt, and decided to continue independent the band is presenting their new CD “Terrorizer” released by themselves.
The last two offerings by the quintet were featured on this blog, but if you never heard of the group’s name before, maybe you’ve been exposed to the band as their music is being broadcasted on Fox Sports. The company has licensed their music for use in advertisements and promotional placements for the NBA, NFL, and UFC’s coverage.
Yes, Diamond Lane shows no signs of slowing down – a truth reinforced by this new record “Terrorizer”.
First of all, don’t be fooled by the ‘heavy metal’ cover art; Diamond Lane’s music is Hard Rock, edgy and roaring with a touch of Eighties American Metal yes, but definitely Hard Rock.
And second, if you think the indie nature of this recording is a little low budget, you’re wrong. The production is slick and the whole thing really well mixed.
“The Enemy” immediately sets the ’80s blend of Californian Glam, Hard Rock and traditional Metal fusion quite well in its crisp, stylish audio quality that screams if bands like Motley Crue and Impelliteri had issued their most recent albums today, with an enthusiastic kickin’ W.A.S.P. approach to the vocals. There’s some ample gang chants where needed and solid metallic hooks in the bridges and catchy chorus.
That first track paints perfectly what to expect next; a really melodic yet razor number on “Favorite Kind of Victim”, street gang Crue style in “Life To Lose” (love the riff), some Exiter / Skid Row on “New Model”, and a monster groove driving the melodic “Kiss the Ring”.
“Cheating Death” is one of my favorites. It’s your typical hook-filled Eighties Hard Rock track that lets the bass lines shine just a little more to drive the ‘pump’. The additional vocal layering sounds great against the slightly deeper tuning and background harmonies in the chorus, and the solo is metallic and valvular.
The midtempo yet powerful “Hopeless Romantic” first, and the acoustically filled “Drift” at the end of the album provide the necessary balance for the sonic attack of the rest the material.
Diamond Lane is a kick ass band that deserves more attention.
“Terrorizer” sounds like something you could see coming out of Sweden these days as it is melodic and has a nice bite to it at the same time. This is just plain a fun all out rocking release that drives right along. Toss it in your car stereo when you hit the road and you will find yourself flying down the highway in no time.
Call them Hard Rock, American ’80s Metal or whatever you want, Diamond Lane Rocks.
01 – The Enemy
02 – Favorite Kind of Victim
03 – Cheating Death
04 – Slow Destruction
05 – Life to Lose
06 – Kiss the Ring
07 – Hopeless Romantic
08 – New Model
09 – Drift
Brandon Baumann (Lead Vocals)
Jarret Reis (Guitar)
Ray Zhang (Bass)
Frankie Lindia (Guitar)
Dave Vandigitty (Drums)
BUY IT !
www.cdbaby.com/cd/diamondlane5
.
