Search - 21 Guns :: Salute

A classic album!

Paul J. Mahoney | UK | 02/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album definately rates up there in my top ten favourite. On first hearing, it sounds very much the same as the majority of hair metal bands around during that era. Im not saying that hair metal isn't great, but a lot of bands lacked originality in terms of their sound and production. But every now and again an album will just shine with uniqueness and quality, this is one of those albums. It reminds me a little of Mr Big's Lean into it album in terms of its ability to give you goosepimples and not wear off particularly quickly. It boasts emotional melodies, fast guitar riffs and Thomas La Verdi's unique vocal talent to make this a great listen. There is a good variety of songs, most containing powerchord choruses with catchy feelgood melodies and a superb atmospheric production. It is definately one of the best albums to come out of that era, but unfortunately they just weren't recognised as much as they should have done. If your a fan of well produced classic AOR such as giant, queensryche, Bad english, Winger etc, then you'll definately love this album :o)"

Decent pop metal

L. B. Ivarsson | Rock City | 03/25/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"21 Guns is Scott Gorham's band. The former guitar player of Thin Lizzy isn't following the Lizzy tradition at all. This album from 1992 is mostly pop metal in a very time typical way. Some of the songs are rather attractive but the singer have a limited high pitch voice with a clear lack of power. Those of you who like Phenomena's third release "Inner vision" will most likely go crazy over this album."

First Class Melodic Rock

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 08/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Released just as the glory days of hair metal were coming to a close, the debut album from melodic rockers 21 Guns didn't make much of an impact on the music scene. It seems like there were a lot of bands who debuted in 1991 and 1992 with very solid albums that would have otherwise been hits if they hadn't come just a little too late for the party. The debuts from Von Groove, Tyketto, and Tall Stories come to mind, as does 21 Guns' Salute.



21 Guns is probably most noteworthy for being founded by former Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham. The music on Salute has little in common with Gorham's former band though; instead it follows the AOR/melodic hard rock style that bands like Bad English, Damn Yankees, and Giant were delivering at the time. Salute is a very strong album from start to finish, and features some very catchy, and very well-written pop/rock songs. Album opener Knee Deep starts things off with a bang, and it just keeps going from there. Great songs, great guitar hooks, and great vocals...what more can you ask for?



This one's a winner folks. If you missed it the first time around, you owe it to yourself to track this album down, especially given its relatively low price. If you enjoy AOR, melodic rock, and/or hair metal, especially the bands listed above, you'll love 21 Guns' Salute."