Skid Row’s “The Gang’s All Here” is a long-awaited return for the band, following a 16-year absence from the studio. The album features a new lead singer, Erik Grönwall, (ex-H.E.A.T) and has proven to be a strong fit for the group. In addition to Grönwall and the drummer Rob Hammersmith (who’s in the band since 2010), the album features three original members of the band, Rachel Bolan on bass, Scotti Hill and Scott “Snake” Sabo on guitars.
The new album adheres to the Skid Row classic formula of blending hard rock, heavy metal, sleaze metal, along with some punk rock touches, resulting in a sound reminiscent of the band’s 90s material. Even though the production has a sweet 90s vibe, the sound is powerful, punchy and contemporary.
The albums begin strongly with “Hell or High Water”, displaying the band’s eagerness to rock hard. And they keep it up with “The Gang’s All Here”, “Not Dead Yet”, “Time Bomb”, “Resurrected”, “When the Lights Come On” and “World on Fire”. The power ballad “October’s Song” showcases Grönwall’s vocal prowess, as well as the band’s ability to write emotionally charged songs.
In a few words, “The Gang’s All Here” is a strong return to form for Skid Row, and their best work since the millennium. Skid Row has managed to capture the energy and spirit of their early days, delivering a fresh take on their hard rock style that made them famous in the 90s.
