The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic changed (and will change) many things in common daily life. And the Rock scene saw things that weren't seen since a long time: the world stopped in 2020, and sadly, great festivals and tours had to be cancelled (and not thanks to the efforts of idiotic political leaders as Trump and Bolsonaro, both embodying the worst features in politics, and the dead in the pandemic will rise one day and condemn both and their followers, because history doesn't lie). Bands used many different ways to play and give the fans some happiness through all the hard times the world lived (and is still living by now). As the pandemic waves diminished, some bands played live shots for few people on closed venues that were transmitted on internet. One of them is what can be heard on "Cocked and Loaded Live", the new live album of the North American Hard/Glam masters of L.A. GUNS.

This album was recorded on a gig at the Fremont Country Club in Las Vegas (NV), a celebration for "Cocked and Loaded" (the band's second studio album, and a massive success on 1989) 31st anniversary. So the entire album is played, showing the nasty and ferine approach on Glam Metal/Hard Rock of the band, and it's almost possible to feel the atmosphere of the venue as the songs are being played. It's full of energy and life, spontaneous and free. The production isn't as good as it could be (because some things are sounding on low volume, as the guitar solos). But the overall result is very good, because it's not presenting digital editions or overdubs, is the band playing alive, and the spontaneous approach is really amazing.

If one can understand the difference between a band of this genre of California and from the 80's from some clones today, just take a bit on songs as "Slap in the Face" (a might Glam Metal blow in the face, aggressive and full of catchy melodies created by guitar riffs), "Rip and Tear" (another kick in the face, based on a strong work of bass guitar and drums, and what catchy chorus), the Bluesy/Southern Rock touch on "Sleazy Come Easy Go", the ferine energy of "Never Enough" and "Malaria", the beautiful ballad "The Ballad of Jayne" (a commercial success back on the 80's, and it shows the versatile work of the vocals), the native USA Hard/Glam Metal groove felt on "Magdalaine" and "Give a Little", the frantic Rock 'n' Roll energy of "Speed", the slow seductive tempos of "17 Crash", and the massive Glam Metal savage melodic touch of "Showdown (Riot on Sunset)", "Wheels of Fire" and "I Wanna Be Your Man". It's not a proof of why "Cocked and Loaded" was a success back them, but states as good music endures the slashes of time.

So get your copy of "Cocked and Loaded Live", enjoy a good time and learn why some bands get old without losing their dignity (and the ones who know Tracii's history will understand the idea behind these words). L.A. GUNS is still a loaded and dangerous gun, for the sake of their fans.