REVIEW: Tracii Guns New Band BLACKBIRD ANGELS “Solsorte”

There’s been many collaborations over past 10-15 years like THE DEAD DAISIES, THE WINERY DOGS, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, REVOLUTION SAINTS and others that are labeled sometimes as “supergroups” of Classic Rock era rockers getting together. There’s been some great work done too as the restraints of the major labels are torn off and they can be who they are.

The latest of these groups is BLACKBIRD ANGELS that features Tracii Guns on guitar, vocalist Todd Kerns and drummer/producer Adam Hamilton. The idea had been floating around awhile as Tracii Guns wanted to do something that paid homage to the 70’s rock he grew up with.

These guys have been in the same scene for many years and have crossed paths on many occasions with Hamilton and Guns working directly with each other in LA Guns. The result is a more cohesive sound and a chemistry that many of these groups can’t quite achieve.

There’s a certain “magic” this album that’s hard to capture. The production is phenomenal, it’s taken the 70’s and 80’s sound and updated it just enough to sound more modern, but yet keep the time period sound in check.

Kerns is a phenomenal singer, he was the bassist in Slash’s band where he sang back up to Myles Kennedy. I actual prefer Kerns, he’s more based in the classic rock sound where you sing more clearly without the “nasal” tone that Kennedy sometimes implements.

Guns has outdone himself too, there’s elements of L.A. Guns, but for the most part he’s got a different sound on this album that separates the two bands. He’s always been very underrated in my opinion and to hear him do something a little different is refreshing.

Hamilton’s drums have a certain “Bonham” vibe as well. MASSIVE sounding, the kick and snare are as close to perfect as you can get nowadays. It’s pretty impressive they got this sound without throwing a ton of cash to a major label production house.

“Solsorte” is a true “album” like they used to make them. There’s twists and turns, slower softer moments to all out sonic assaults. Just when you think that AI is going to take over music and you’ll never hear “real” music again, these guys come along and remind us that there’s still fuel in the rock n’ roll tank.

Lineup:
Tracii Guns – Guitars
Todd Kerns – Vocals
Adam Hamilton – Drums

For live performances, Johnny Martin will play bass and Sam Bam Koltun will play guitar.