Anthony Gomes: Praise the Loud Review

April 25th marks the release of a brand new album Praise the Loud by a Canadian blues rock powerhouse. Playing blues guitar with hard rock attitude and fierce energy, and possessing a powerful voice any metal singer would be proud of – it’s the one and only Anthony Gomes. Praise the Loud marks the 14th addition to his rich studio catalogue that started way back in 1998 with the legendary Blues in Technicolor. The new 12-track record released via Rat Pack Records was announced earlier this year with a music video for the title track. After nearly three decades on the big stage, Gomes is as driven as ever and all fired up to play these songs live, speaking to Blues Rock Review about the new release, Gomes said: “It’s like the first day of school, but it’s really a cool place to be. But I’m most focused on delivering Praise The Loud live and finally playing these songs. Some of these songs will be the first time we play them live“.

The title track hits hard from the word go – it’s the bluesiest heavy metal tune ever or vice versa. The best way to describe Anthony’s voice to someone who has never heard him sing would be Dio meets Billy Gibbons – powerful and gritty, yet incredibly warm. He is no stranger to going for the high-notes and screams either. The song’s tight drum part is interwoven with a heavy guitar riff throughout the track that features a killer, wah-drenched guitar solo. With the sheer amount of energy compressed into the 212 seconds of the album opener it is really hard to imagine anyone sitting down calmly when this is played live. This is followed by “True That” – a classic rock n’ roll track. Contrast to the theme centered around lying and cheating, the overall vibe is so upbeat and optimistic. It’s a proper summer banger featuring an anthemic chorus that is powered by catchy backing vocals.

A laidback guitar riff and some finger clicks start out a sultry “Netflix and Chill”. The shuffle groove boosts this bluesy track that builds up to eventually culminate in a tapping guitar solo which serves as a perfect lead up to an old school rock love song titled “Inside Out” – akin to the finest Whitesnake work. Backed by a slow marching rhythm, the minor-key track “Meet My Maker” shifts to a slightly darker theme, testament to a wide range of Anthony Gomes’ lyrical scope. “Electric Blues Crusade” marks the return to the high-voltage sound this Canadian is best known for. Warning: the guitar solo introduced just before the 2-minute mark of this number is a true face-melter. It’s not very often riffs in dropped tuning can be heard on blues records – but Anthony Gomes never cared much for the “rules” and genre boundaries. Bold as always, he adds further heat to an already incandescent record with a track called “Black Diamond Heavy”. Heavy indeed – massive riffs, signature powerful vocals and an airtight drum beat spiced up occasionally with cheeky triplets on the kick. Just wow!

In “Rock and Roll Bluesman”, Gomes sings about the music choosing him and not the other way around. This track that contains the line quoted by the artist himself as one of his favorites: ‘I don’t care if they love or hate me, gonna turn it up so they won’t forget me‘. This captures the very essence of Praise the Loud. The wild ride continues with “Half” – another classic rock tune. The simple riff and a no-nonsense rock groove are the perfect foundation for Anthony to showcase his blues guitar mastery with yet another insane solo, before slowing things down for “Love Song Gone Wrong”. It’s the album’s only ballad that lyrically defines the term ‘blues’ so well. Speaking of the blues, the track that follows is built upon a classic blues progression, in a classic blues 12/8 time signature, and symbolically titled “In the Name of the Blues”. Of course it wouldn’t be Anthony Gomes if the amps weren’t turned up to 11 – a truly smashing tune with stellar guitar work. Wrapping the album up is a high-octane hard rock number labelled “Blame It All (On Rock and Roll)”.

Referencing the new release, Anthony said: “I still believe in a world of guitar heroes. I strive for a world where you don’t have to be 19 years old to sell a lot of records and tickets and to make a statement. I’m one of those people who doesn’t think rock, or the blues is dead. I’m looking for fresh ways to bring them together. I’m at the table rolling the dice all in the name of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. I know there’s never been a more exciting time for music, and I’m here for the journey”. Praise the Loud truly is an electrifying experience delivered with copious amounts of energy, virtuosity, feel and swagger. The genre is sure to thrive as long as we have artists such as Anthony Gomes – a real blues rock champion.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Praise the Loud
– Netflix and Chill
– Inside Out
– Black Diamond Heavy

The Big Hit

– Praise the Loud