Being American and a huge fan of 80's hard rock, especially bands that "cut their teeth" on Hollywood's Sunset Strip, I respect any and all bands that are still trying to keep that sound alive in this almost "prehistoric" genre. I just can't understand why more musicians don't follow these historic roots and put out music that once moved a generation to the extent of dominating album sales, radio waves, and MTV (back when MTV played music). If it sounded so good then, why not now?

There is still a movement of musician trying to keep this musical flame burning by recording good, old-fashion rock n' roll the way all of the sleazy, "hair metal" bands of the 80's did it. But unfortunately, the bulk of this music falls on deaf ears because the current state of the recording industry is too commercial to care about anything but the "flavor of the month" artists, as voted on by yuppie social media members. Now in 2014, one of the best hard rock bands I've heard in a great while, LANEY'S LEGION is trying to buck this trend. This Swedish quartet plays the old-school 80's flavored music the way it was meant to be played and they plan on making the industry sit up and take notice.

LANEY'S LEGION aren't your typical up-start musicians who've listened to hard rock albums of old and are trying to recreate that music; they are veterans of bands that have lived and delivered this style of music for years and know what works and what doesn't. This dynamic "supergroup" consists of Chris Laney (RANDY PIPER'S ANIMAL, ZAN CLAN, Solo) on vocals and rhythm guitar, Rob Marcello (DANGER DANGER, HOUSE OF LORDS, MARCELLO/VESTRY, Solo) on lead guitar, Mats Vassfjord (GRAND DESIGN, IMPERA) on bass, and Patrik Jansson (HELSINGLAND UNDERGROUND) on drums. If you're into this style of music, these guys need no introduction, as you will recognize their names and faces in an instant.

In recent years, Sweden has lead the way with an abundance of great bands releasing 80's infused rock, making this country the world's hot-bed of hard rock music. Chris Laney has been one of the key ingredients of this resurgence. Not only is he a great vocalist, guitar player, and songwriter, he has also produced so many albums and been a mentor for too many bands to list in this review and is sometimes referred to as the MUTTE LANGE of Europe. Pretty Impressive. And with the release of the full length, self-titled LP, "Laney's Legion", already available worldwide via Perris Records, Laney has put his new band at the top of the hard rock heap. Having recruited guitar god Rob Marcello, of DANGER DANGER fame, to carry the lead was a brilliant choice and he really smokes on this record. His sound reminds me of a mixture of George Lynch, Vito Bratta, and Reb Beach and on some of the solos sounds a lot like Yngwie Malmsteen.

"Laney's Legion" is 11 songs chock full of the original Sunset Strip sound that made so many bands rich and famous in the 80's and early 90's and could be best described as Hollywood glam blended with melodic hair-metal. If you love this classic genre and bands like WINGER, DOKKEN, WARRANT, MOTLEY CRUE, SKID ROW, POISON, KIX, and DEF LEPPARD, you will love this offering from LANEY'S LEGION. What sets this album apart from other similar sounding albums of late, is the songs. These are masterfully crafted tracks that are played and produced to sound equally great in a small venue or on the big stage of a 12,000-seat arena.

With classic 80's vocals, standout lead guitars, harmonic choruses, and "the looks that kill", this album is a "can't miss" and should be marketed hard and heavy. After a couple of solo albums, Chris Laney has put together a masterpiece with LANEY'S LEGION and these guys have the full package that they'll need to take this band to the top of the hard rock genre around the world.