DIAMOND LANE – Sapphire (2013)
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Two years after their full length debut (presented here at 0dayrox) American hard rockers DIAMOND LANE bring us their new recording “Sapphire”.
Just five tracks, but it’s got a tight focus and more cohesion than you might expect from an EP.
If they’re new to you, some quick background: Diamond Lane got together in 2008 when lead vocalist Brandon Baumann and lead guitarist Jarret Reis relocated from Northern California to L.A. and hooked up with Ray Zhang on bass, Frankie Lindia on guitar and Zak St. John on drums. The same year the band debuted with a four-song EP produced by Johnny Lima strongly influenced by the ’80s, and then arrived ‘World Without Heroes’ in 2011 where they modernized the sound.
Diamond Lane has since become a fixture on the Hollywood scene, keeping the joy of American hard rock alive on the Strip.
Meanwhile, the CD garnered the attention of the FOX network which used several tracks from the album in UFC, NBA, College Football and NHL promos.
On “Sapphire” the band worked with producers Tom Chandler and Davey Rieley to record the entire EP in a thirteen-day burst of creative energy that is palpable on listening. This is party-centric music driven by fist pumping guitar riffs and overall potent, punchy sound.
In short; straight American Hard Rock with no place for ballads.
Baumann’s singing range from growling in the lower registers to a tenor blast, and Zhang’s bass melds with Lindia’s and Reis’ guitars for a big sound that compliments the vocals. But what really sold me on this recording, though, is St. John’s explosive drumming that maintains a raucous pace through every track, as heard since opener title track “Sapphire”.
What follows is the unapologetic and rocking “What I Am”, and then “Haymaker”, starting with the catchiest guitar lick on the EP and later loaded with moving rhythms. It’s all about just hanging out in a bar all night, with a ‘Dude, Where’s My Car?’ moment in the second verse.
“Hey Hell Yeah” cuts through the bullshit and says what all great rock songs want to say (but usually don’t): ‘Hey, what do you say / let’s get fucked up and drink all day / Hey hell yeah / party ’til we all get laid’. Basic and primitive, but fun.
Last song “Ain’t Comin Back” shows off the balancing act between guitars and vocals in a raucous way. This muscular sound is which defines Diamond Lane: uncompromised and in your face.
“Sapphire” delivers twenty minutes of sharp guitar riffs, boisterous vocals and pounding rhythm section.
What you do get is a hard, rhythm driven sound: modern party-ready American hard rock ready for a backyard BBQ.
Bring the cold beers and crank it to 11.
01. Sapphire
02. What I Am
03. Haymaker
04. Hey Hell Yeah [Explicit]
05. Ain’t Comin Back
Brandon Baumann (Lead Vocals)
Jarret Reis (Lead Guitar)
Ray Zhang (Lead Bass)
Frankie Lindia (Lead Guitar Dos)
Zak St. John (Lead Drums)
BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/sapphire-ep/id652013862
