Shotgun Messiah's self-titled debut is an energized, fun escape with flashes of pop and Glam metal. 1989 marked the first national release by Swedish-born Shotgun Messiah, a relocated hair band trying to break out of the 80's Hollywood metal scene, and this album perfectly captures the raunch & roll atmosphere that permeated throughout LA at the time. The first track, "Bop City", nails that dead on.

Although Shotgun Messiah, formerly known as Kingpin, was riding the coattails of other more popular California hair bands such as Poison, LA Guns and Faster Pussycat, they still manage to serve up a platter of charged metal full of guitar chops and striking grooves. Zinny J. San's cartoon-ish vocals really lend to the pop flavor while Harry Cody strings it all together with his blazing guitar work. All the songs are excessive and over the top which is ideal for this brand of Sweden-come-LA metal.

The second track, "Don't Care 'Bout Nothin'", which is one of the better tunes, has a slamming riff highlighted by Cody's wicked fills. "Shout It Out" is as close as it comes to metal's equivalent to a rap tune as Zinny and bassist Tim Skold share verses between Cody's screaming leads. Cody even gets his own track, "The Explorer", to light up his Ibanez Steve Vai six string model and showcase his blistering guitar ability.

"Nowhere Fast" is laced with catchy rhythms and the repeated use of "Na Na Naaaa Na", which they already used in "Shout It Out". "Dirt Talk" is built with Cody's tricky harmonic fills and excessive leads but the style has become a bit redundant as the album nears its end. Fortunately this disc ends on a high note with the fiery track "Nervous" in which Zinny's candy-coated vocals really come alive.

Where Shotgun Messiah's debut lacks in overall substance, it more than makes up for it in attitude and intensity. It's unfortunate this energy didn't materialize on their sophomore follow-up, 'Second Coming', since it is noticeably missing on that CD. Guitar rats should get this one for Harry Cody's axe attack and 80's pop metal fans should really enjoy this often-overlooked record. It's certainly a fun ride top to bottom albeit a little short with only nine tracks.

Track Listing:
1. Bop City
2. Don't Care 'Bout Nothin'
3. Shout It Out
4. Squeezin' Teazin'
5. The Explorer
6. Nowhere Fast
7. Dirt Talk
8. I'm Your Love
9. Nervous



Recommended: Yes