BIG GUNS (NY) – Re-Loaded (2018)

Not to be confused with the European band of the same name, this American BIG GUNS just released a self-managed CD titled “Re-Loaded“, a 10-track collection of pure late ’80s US melodic hard rock.
Again, not to be confused with the Big Guns from Illinois whom also play ’80s hard rock – this BIG GUNS hails from the New York area and it’s formed by some long-time friends.

The core of the band are friends who all over the years have been part of several NY area local acts, and as BIG GUNS they are together for most than 25 years. They own an event theater for concerts (Skid Row recently played there) where they regularly perform in front of a loyal fanbase.
The members of BIG GUNS doesn’t want to sign-in a recording contract with a major label, nor tour Europe or Japan, they just want to make the music they love.

Accordingly, BIG GUNS recorded “Re-Loaded” without compromises, at their hometown, helped by a studio engineer but produced by themselves.
And what these guys are all about?
True late ’80s American Melodic Rock.

Opener “Take You Down Alive” sounds a lot like Firehouse circa 1990, perhaps due to lead singer Kevin Davis’ vocal timbre, but also the layered harmony vocals and the overall rhythm.
“Inside Your Dreams” is just another killer hard rocker with a 1986 Y&T feel, while “Addiction” adds an updated touch with heavier guitars / drums and an anthemic chorus.
For the ballad “Life Goes On” there’s a duet with promising young female vocalist Rachel Lorin, a killer midtempo power ballad recalling Ozzy / Lita Ford classic duet.

Quality continues with the groovy “Sweet Jesus”, more Firehouse-like melodic hard rock in “End of Time” and “Don’t Kick Me”, I can hear some Icon or Dokken in ‘Invincible’ (but again, those CJ Snare-like sweet vocals), then the guys add a bluesy touch to “House of Pain”.

BIG GUNS’ “Re-Loaded” took me by surprise: almost zero promotion – even their facebook page is hard to find – and locally released, but darn, this is like a long lost ’80s diamond album shelved for decades.
Well, not at all; these songs have been recently recorded – although I suspect written decades ago – and while production isn’t five stars (weak cymbals), howly cow… these are terrific songs.
The lead vocals are excellent, good riffs/solos, solid rhythm section… and the vibe, yes, BIG GUNS captured here the late ’80s / early ’90s magic, not easy to achieve.

Don’t be fooled by the poor cover artwork, the music inside BIG GUNS’ “Re-Loaded” is pretty fan-damn-tastic.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Take You Down Alive
02 – Inside Your Dreams
03 – Life Goes On (feat. Rachel Lorin)
04 – Addiction
05 – Sweet Jesus
06 – End of Time
07 – Invincible
08 – Dysfunctional
09 – House of Pain
10 – Don’t Kick Me

Kevin Davis – lead vocals
Frank Pallett – guitar, vocals
John O’Shea – drums
Kerry Bowden – bass, vocals
Joe Vasallo – guitar, backing vocals

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Re-Loaded-Explicit-Big-Guns/dp/B07BRTHDR8
www.facebook.com/BigGunsCore/
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