LAST CALL MESSIAHS – Sermons Of Debauchery (2016)
Four piece LAST CALL MESSIAHS may be established in Raleigh, NC, but their full length debut CD “Sermons Of Debauchery” released today sounds as if living in Hollywood, L.A. circa 1987.
For almost two years now, the band endearingly known to their fans as LCM have been tearing through the dark smoky bar circuit of NC’s capital city. Last Call Messiahs made their live debut in December 2014, released a 4-song EP, and shared stages with the likes of Kix, Ted Poley & more.
Imagine a sonic combination of L.A. Guns, the first Motley Crue and Guns N’ Roses.
Since the release of the Last Call Messiahs EP the group has sustained some considerable blows to its line-up with two of the founding members – the rhythm section of bassist Stephen Blasko and drummer Chuck Tipton – leaving the group.
They have been replaced by bassist Bill Jackson and drummer Dee Williams who do an admirable job, a true beef up to the band’s musicianship.
Lead vocalist / rhythm guitarist Chris Clark and lead axeman Jeff Young have decided to forge ahead with the band and are the most identifiable components that bring the Last Call Messiahs style. Clark‘s squealing / singing is hard to duplicate giving Last Call Messiahs quite the identifiable and original sound.
I said above the new rhythm section is stronger now, as the band’s EP it’s included here as the final 4 tracks and you can hear the difference not only in the playing, but also the recording quality. The band states that all have been remastered, but compared to the new material are pretty inferior sound-wise.
These 4 tracks are “City Of Trash” which reminds me of early Faster Pussycat with its attitude and song progression, while the moody “Hollywood & Vine” proves that Last Call Messiahs have more to offer than just anthemic rockers.
“Last Call Messiah” must be the band’s customary show closer because it has all of the elements of an excellent song — great guitar riffs, verses that perfectly set up the catchy chorus, and a killer yet uncomplicated guitar solo. “Sinner’s Swing” is built on a nasty guitar riff and highlighted by some dirty vocals.
So how do the five new songs fare? All are solid slices of sleazy, hard rocking stuff with a glammy Californian vibe from the late ’80s much better produced than the EP, with a clear separation between instruments.
“Hollywood’s Screaming,” “Wonderland” and “Man’s Ruin” are all enjoyable with strong ‘street-like’ guitars, but the two stand outs cuts for me are the riff based “Body Electric” which seems to drip with sleaze and swagger and just never lets up with its cool groove and feel, and “So Far, So What” is just a solid rocker from start to finish with some very early Peter Criss era KISS drumming just before the guitar solo.
Overall, “Sermons Of Debauchery” is a a solid album that will likely satisfy any lover of classic US sleazy hard rock. Clark‘s voice just seems tailor made for sleazy down n’ dirty songs and Last Call Messiahs have a knack for coming up with some cool guitar riffs and melodies.
It’s not easy to play this kind of ’80s music (complete with leather jackets) in America these days and survive at it, so kudos to Last Call Messiahs.
Cool rockin’ stuff.
01 – Hollywood Screaming
02 – Wonderland
03 – Body Electric
04 – Man’s Ruin
05 – So Far, So Bad
06 – Sinner’s Swing
07 – Hollywood & Vine
08 – City Of Trash
09 – Last Call Messiah
Chris Clark – lead vocals / guitar
Jeff Young – lead guitar / vocals
Bill Jackson – bass / vocals
Dee Williams – drums / vocals
Stephen Blasko – bass / vocals 6 to 9
Chuck Tipton – drums / vocals 6 to 9
BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/sermons-of-debauchery/id1151422816
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