Where I used to work – 17 years of my life in the most toxic of atmospheres – there was a bunch of people who are the type that probably put flags on lampposts and paint roundabouts to show their national pride. If I’d gone in and said that George Lynch is one of the most talented guitarists of his generation, I’d have been ridiculed for “trying to be cool.” It doesn’t make it any less true. For god knows how long, Lynch has been a mark of quality, and on “Dancing With The Devil” – their ninth and supposedly final record – he proves it once more.
The title track kicks things off with classy hard rock, the kind of slick, muscular opener this band excels at. “Pictures Of The Dead” adds a bluesy swagger, a little dirt under the fingernails, before “Saints And Sinners” heads into something more like a fusion of styles, giving Lynch plenty of room to stretch out. It’s “Lift Up Your Soul,” though, that really underlines his brilliance: when there’s groove, light and shade, no one can touch him.
“Love In Denial” arrives with a quiet confidence, letting Gabriel Colón’s vocals glide over a deceptively tight rhythm section. Then “Machine Bone” brings a real modern edge. Producer Chris Collier – who has worked with pretty much everyone – ensures it sounds contemporary without losing any sleaze. At times it even brings to mind Slaughter’s more carefree moments, and it isn’t shy about dipping into a jam.
“Follow Me Down” injects fresh energy with an infectious chorus, the sort that feels like Lynch cutting loose with a grin. “Golden Mirror,” the album’s only instrumental, packs in the influences with Eastern tinges and a sense of freedom that only a band this assured can pull off. Things take a darker turn on “Sea Of Stones,” which lurks ominously, maybe even nodding toward Sabbath’s shadowier corners.
“The Stranger” slows things down again, and when Colón sings “we are running out of time” after the solo, it’s hard not to feel the weight of this possibly being their last ride. “Somewhere,” the bonus track, acts as a final reminder that Lynch Mob have never been a typical band — even their extras sound like they have something to prove.
If this is the end (and history suggests these things are never quite set in stone…), then “Dancing With The Devil” sees Lynch Mob exit on a genuine high.
Rating: 8/10
