Badlands - 'Badlands'

A Rocktopia user review by Speedy Hicks.

Conflict, feuds, drama, Badlands had everything and thankfully their debut has now been re-issued on the “Rock Candy” label with an extra track thrown in for good measure. Originally formed in 1988 by ex Ozzy guitarist “Jake E Lee” he soon went about recruiting “Eric Singer”, drums “Ray Gillen”, vocals
and ex Steeler bassist “Greg Chaisson.”When the album was released in 1989 it caused quite a stir with
its bluesy rock feel and its Zeppelin influences sprinkled on many of the songs with “Winters Call” being
an example of this. “Dancing on the Street” is testimony to the late Ray Gillen’s breathtaking vocals
which reinforces my belief that we have sadly lost one of the best vocalists that ever sang this type of music.
“Rumblin Train” is the group in top flight with its low slung staggered blues opening that builds and builds
into a jaw dropping Jake E Lee solo. One listen to the semi acoustic intro to “Devils Stomp” which is
interrupted with a fat riff that makes you blow out your cheeks and want to catch a breath. Badlands follow
up “Voodoo Highway” from 1991 has also been released on “Rock Candy” but by this time the writing was
sadly on the wall as “Singer” had departed and joined Kiss and the album sank without causing much of a stir
thanks in no small part to Gillen and Jakes ongoing weekly spats in a UK music magazine and their public
altercation on stage in London. The only blessing we have is that this debut is now released in all its glory and
available for everyone to enjoy rather than scrabbling round looking for an old vinyl copy. Fans of whitsnake.
Blue Murder, and Zeppelin will not be disappointed.