SHOTGUN (Messiah) – Live; Down Decadencia Drive (2016)
After 25 years of their classic debut Swedes SHOTGUN Messiah are back, with a new album titled “Live; Down Decadencia Drive” to be released tomorrow.
Original singer Zinny J. Zan and drummer Stixx Galore (now shortened to just Stixx) decided to reunite to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the debut album, and revive the glory days of Shotgun Messiah now 2016.
Zan and Stixx recruited two renowned cats from the Swedish scene to fill the remaining band slots; superb guitarist Rob Marcello (Danger Danger, Mercello/Vestry, Laney’s Legion) and bass player and recently top class producer Chris Laney on bass.
Not wanting to resort to acting like all those other bands with few original members who still operate under an iconic band name, Zan and Stixx opted for just half the name: Shotgun.
“Live: Down Decadencia Drive” is an eight-track live album recorded with this new/part-reunited line-up that features every song from the band’s debut ‘Welcome To Bop City / Shotgun Messiah’ minus the short instrumental, and, you know what, it’s a helluva lotta fun.
The tacked-on audience audio – a staple of classic live albums – is testament to this being a full-on overblown ’80s throwback, and a true entertaining sleezin’, teazin’ release.
This is a new version, but with the same kick-ass attitude of the debut Shotgun Messiah. Zinny’s voice has the same toughness, is rough and a bit more mature than it was back then, and Rob Marcello’s guitar licks are the cherry on top. What a great guitar slinger.
The rhythm section is a blast, the audience participates in each song and the party doesn’t stop. It even introduces original Kingpin (first Shotgun Messiah band name) vocalist J.K. Knox to join in on final track, ‘Don’t Care ‘Bout Nothin’.
With the first notes of “Squeezin Teazin”, Shotgun put us directly on the mood and with ‘Nowhere Fast’, ‘Nervous” and ‘Shout It Out’ the adrenaline pounding red.
Shotgun Messiah were one of the greats, with their first two releases (both remasters featured HERE) being essential albums in any melodic hard rock collection.
Shotgun may well turn out to be an unlikely success story, what with the current obsession with reunions and reimaginings. With Laney and Marcello in the band any new product could really sting the senses: until then, this punchy live album will have you running wild, with wreck ‘n’ roll on your mind.
Can’t wait for a new studio album.
1 – Squeezin Teazin (Live)
2 – I’m Your Love (Live)
3 – Bop City (Live)
4 – Nowhere Fast (Live)
5 – Dirt Talk (Live)
6 – Nervous (Live)
7 – Shout It Out (Live)
8 – Don’t Care Bout Nothin’ (Live)
Zinny J. Zan – vocals
Stixx – drums
Rob Marcello – guitar
Chris Laney – bass
Jonas Beijer – backing vocals, samples, keyboards
J.K. Knox – vocals on 8
PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.de/Live-Down-Decadencia-Drive-Shotgun/dp/B01DKTOM1A
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