It is a question that has plagued hard rock and metal lovers for 30 years. A question that keeps some up at night rolling and sweating in their own nightmares. Where does the ‘Guns’ in Guns N’ Roses come from? Well, it comes from the bands first guitarist Traci Guns. Who would later be replaced by Slash. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Because Guns would go on to form his own excellent band: L.A. Guns. And for a few years and three platinum albums they were riding high. And it looked like they might join some alternative brothers in 90’s hard rock glory.
But the band couldn’t keep its shit together and line-up change after line-up change took it’s toll. Not only that but Guns played around with the sound too much. 1996’s horrendous ‘American Hardcore’. Actually, songs aren’t that bad. It’s just that the production is so bad it makes the album bad. Plus, singer Chris Van Dahl simply isn’t a good fit for the band. So, the band would have some rough times ahead. Band members coming in and out of the band. 2001’s ‘Man in the Moon’ saw a big step in the right direction. Seeing 80% of the original band back together including singer Phil Lewis. But the album isn’t particularly strong. Then for the next 12 years or so it would be more of the same. Line-up changes, rushed song writing. The line-up changes got so bad that the band even had two versions of itself. One with Traci Guns and one with Phil Lewis. Then original drummer Steve Riley threw his hat in the ring once Lewis announced that he would be rejoining Guns. It’s like madhouse, horror family circus.
But finally it seems that Lewis and Guns have joined together for good. Hopefully, fingers crossed. And even though the rest of the original line-up is missing, Guns and Lewis have put out a really strong reunion album. 2017’s ‘The Missing Peace’, a nice play on words. And I gotta say, it’s fucking awesome album. I was not expecting it’s quality and strength at all. I knew it would decent like a lot of their work post 1991. But I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as their first three albums. Even at times exceeding them. That’s right, I said it. There are moments on this albums that are the strongest in the bands long, dysfunctional existence.
‘It’s All the Same to Me’ is a smashing opening track. Great riffage and vocal melodies that show what’s to come. Then the band kick it up a notch with ‘Speed’. It’s a typical classic, hair metal with a punk attitude. Something that the later 80’s bands such as L.A. Guns and GNR brought. ‘A Drop of Bleach’ is one of the best riffs that Guns has ever delivered. That combined with Phil Lewis’ raw, British energy makes it understandable why this band got anywhere in the first place. That standard is kept up with the next track ‘Sticky Fingers’. I love the heavy metal shuffle that they push on the song. But it’s still and aggressive groove. Really nice balance.
The first ballad on the album ‘Christine’ is as classic as ‘The Ballad of Jayne’. That’s followed by the Cheap Trick inspired ‘Baby Gotta Fever’. With an unexpected bad ass riff gluing the chorus and the verse together. The center piece of the album ‘Kill it or Die’ is my favorite on the album. It’s such a tasty riff. That groovy, blues based riff that’s just saturated in sex. And Phil Lewis’ voice! My god! He really does sound like he did 30 years ago. Which a lot of those can’t say at all. ‘Don’t Bring a Knife to a Gunfight’ is just amazing hair metal. What can I say? There’s a youthful quality to the song too that a lot of their peers have lost over the years.
‘The Flood’s the Fault of the Rain’ just might be the best ballad the band has ever done. It’s relevant, it’s sensitive without being too over the top. And it’s going to resonate with a lot of folks who are feeling the weight of what’s going on in the world right now. I think we need some bands to address it and L.A. Guns comes through. Then after that heavy subject matter we go back into funland with ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’. It’s got a great bounce to it. A real crowd jumper. This album is made for big ass arenas and this track is a perfect example.
The title track is an arm hair raiser. It’s grand crescendo chorus wanes into this chill verse. And the strings added are a really nice taste. And again, the band goes back to some heavier subject matter that I think is needed. And when the music accommodates the lyrical message, such as the title track to this album, you know you have a winner. The best band figure out how to write lyrics that fit the mood of the music. The album finishes off with the dramatic ‘Gave it All Away’. Phil Lewis always had a flair for the eccentric and this closing ballad is an excellent example.
Overall this album is a major pleasant surprise. And I love that. I love it when an album is way way better than what you initially think it’s going to be. I thought ‘The Missing Peace’ would be an average reunion album trying to capture some early career glory. But what it really is, is a fresh, inspired album that successfully captures that early career energy. A really nice job. Get this album. You won’t be disappointed. It’s good to have Lewis and Guns back together.
Awesome track. Fave on the album.
Absolutely bangin’ track!
This is a great ballad. Sort of reminiscent of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ musically. But it works really well.
