L.A. Cobra “Shotgun Slinger”
On their third album, Shotgun Slinger, L.A. Cobra deliver a real gem. Harking back to the sound of RATT and the like, their new album finds the South African quartet delivering a kickass slice of classic melodic sleaze rock, perfect for fans of the Sunset Strip back in the day.
With a vocal delivery reminiscent of the demon spawn of Stephen Pearcy, Vince Neil and Taime Downe, lead singer Don Cobra shines throughout, delivering the perfect vocals for the self-proclaimed Sleaze Rocking Hair Metal Stars. They are of course all that and more, blending raw LA inspired rock with a clean modern production, whilst waving the flag as South Africa’s only sleaze rock band.
Running Wild, kicks the album into high gear early, finding the band in their element, with some great classic hard rock. See Right Thru You and title track, Shotgun Slinger, are loaded with old school 80’s melodic rock stylings, while Ride Slithers with a sleazy groove.
War is an understated highlight of the album, stripped back verses providing the perfect contrast to the tracks big chorus and the sparse guitar solo is excellent. Good Taste In Bad Women is yet another standout, feeling like a lost sleaze classic.
They leave the best for last though, with the perfect Rock And Roll Pretoria, a rollicking RATT Styled anthem and one of the finest slices of hair metal I have heard in some time, which should make plenty of genre fans bests of 2017.
Review by Peter Lanyon
