''American Hardcore'' is the fifth album by the American

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

band

L.A. Guns L.A. Guns are an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1983. The lineup currently consists of Tracii Guns (lead guitar), Phil Lewis (musician), Phil Lewis (lead vocals), Ace Von Johnson (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Johnny Mar ...

. It is their only album to feature singer Chris Van Dahl and the first to feature bass guitarist Johnny Crypt. This album continues the increase in heaviness by the band started on their previous album ''

Vicious Circle A vicious circle (or cycle) is a complex chain of events that reinforces itself through a feedback loop, with detrimental results. It is a system with no tendency toward equilibrium (social, economic, ecological, etc.), at least in the shor ...

''. The band was very influenced by

Pantera Pantera () is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Arlington, Texas in 1981 by the Abbott brothers (guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul), and currently composed of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, an ...

during this time. The band re-branded themselves "The L.A. Guns", at the time of the release of ''American Hardcore'', adding 'the' before its name. According to Steve Riley, this was done to note the change in direction from the band's classic line-up fronted by Phil Lewis. Also according to Riley, during the recording of ''American Hardcore'' the band was still a five-piece, as bassist

Kelly Nickels Kelly Nickels (; born January 5, 1962) is a French-born American bassist who has played in various bands including Sweet Pain, Faster Pussycat, and L.A. Guns. Career Early years Perret was born in Montauban, France, and moved to the Unite ...

was very much part of the band and received co-writing credit on eight of the 12 tracks. He quit the band once they were dropped from PolyGram. Following Nickels' departure, second guitarist Johnny Crypt switched over to bass and the band remained a four-piece. The opening track "F.N.A." was intended to sound like a disc skipping, and is rumored to be a portion of their cover song "

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. After adopting the Black Sabbath name in 1969 (the band ...

" - available on the Japanese import version of the album - simply played backwards. A hidden track can be found following an extended break at the 17 minute mark of the final track "I am Alive". The track features an exchange between a couple of prison guards discussing the pending execution of an inmate. According to Van Dahl, he did all the voices in one straight take. Atomic Punks singer

Ralph Saenz Ralph Michael Saenz (born May 17, 1965), better known as Michael Starr, is an American musician who is best known as the lead vocalist of the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther. Early and personal life Saenz was born in Chicago on May 17, ...

was recruited to replace Van Dahl after he was fired in 1997 to finish out the last couple months of the tour. The band, with Saenz, would still perform several of the songs from ''American Hardcore'', including "Give". Saenz would subsequently stay with the band to record the '' Wasted EP'' in 1998.

Track listing

Personnel

;L.A. Guns *Chris Van Dahl - lead vocals *

Tracii Guns Tracy Irving Richard Ulrich (born January 20, 1966), known professionally as Tracii Guns, is an American guitarist best known as the co-founder of glam metal group L.A. Guns, as well as the Supergroup (music), supergroups Brides of Destruction ...

- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, mixing *Johnny Crypt - bass guitar, backing vocals * Steve Riley - drums, percussion, backing vocals ;Additional musicians *Tom Eyre - keyboards on track 12, strings arrangements *Mark Noreyko,

Scarlet Rivera Donna Shea, better known as Scarlet Rivera is an American violinist. She is best known for her work with Bob Dylan, in particular on his 1976 album ''Desire'' and as part of the Rolling Thunder Revue. Life and career Born Donna Shea in Joliet, ...

- strings *Scott King - mandolin and harmony vocals on track 9 *Franklin Rosell, Paul Alvarez, Riley Baxter, Denis Degher - additional gang vocals ;Production *Denis Degher - producer, engineer, mixing *Brent Reilly - additional engineering *Alan Yoshida - mastering at

A&M Studios The Jim Henson Company Lot, formerly A&M Studios, is a studio property located just south of the southeast corner of La Brea Avenue and Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Originally established by film star Charlie Chaplin, the property served as C ...

, Hollywood

References

{{Authority control 1996 albums L.A. Guns albums CMC International albums Groove metal albums