Anthony Gomes, High Voltage Blues, album cover

Anthony Gomes, High Voltage Blues

By Mike O’Cull

Canadian blues/rock guitar hero Anthony Gomes hits hard and gets heavy on his new release High Voltage Blues.

The record drops September 23rd, 2022 on Rat Pak Records and features Gomes working out on a mix of new and old material. The real supercharger of the set, however, is the rhythm section of drummer Ray Luzier (Korn) and bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth, The Winery Dogs) throwing their considerable strengths behind five of the tracks. They provide a muscular foundation that drives Gomes deeper into his rock side than ever before. He and Peter Carson produced the record, capturing performances in Nashville and St. Louis.

Gomes re-recorded many of his fan’s favorites for the album as well as three fresh, new songs. It’s a perfect mix of tunes that add up to an especially impressive listening experience. “We had a lot of fun rocking these songs up,” Gomes said. “As an artist, it was great to circle back to some of my past work and look at it from a different perspective. Billy and Ray really pushed the way I play guitar, and they added a whole new element with a little insanity. When people ask me what I sound like, I say, ‘If B.B. King was in AC/DC, that’s what it would be’. That’s High Voltage Blues in a nutshell.”

Anthony Gomes has been a major player in the blues/rock scene since first emerging in the clubs of Chicago in the 90s. He has gone on to top the Billboard Blues Chart, amassed millions of online streams, and shared stages with Buddy Guy, Robert Plant, Joe Bonamassa, Heart, Sammy Hagar, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Celebrities including Academy® Award winner Morgan Freeman, John Goodman, and Vince Vaughn have been spotted at his shows, explosive events that have happened on multiple continents. He’s an amazing guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer who is actively shaping the future of blues music.

AG opens High Voltage Blues with gusto, launching it with the record’s first single “Painted Horse.” It’s an absolute banger that introduces us to the sound of the Gomes/Sheehan/Luzier triangle. It’s an edgy cut with a big beat, a chant-able vocal hook, and electrified playing on all instruments. Gomes puts down some of the most aggressive and passionate guitar work of his career on it, showing us right away where he intends to take the music he loves.

“Fur Covered Handcuffs” is an homage to rock titans ZZ Top and their humor and often-unique lyrical perspective. It’s a song about its titular object and a couple using them to keep things spicy at home. Gomes’ vocals are extra-strong here and the hard pocket behind him adds to their impact. His guitar also does its share of talking, blasting us with notes and tones that are guaranteed to put you in a Texas state of mind.

Gomes, Sheehan, and Luzier turn “Peace, Love, and Loud Guitars” into a stadium-worthy rocker that finds Anthony burning brightly. He pulls off one high-velocity lick after another while fronting a band with so much horsepower that it should be licensed as a motor vehicle. The song is already one of Gomes’ most popular numbers and his fans are going to flip for this new version all over again.

“Hell And Half Of Georgia” invokes the soulfulness of Southern Rock and shows off Gomes’ vocal chops. It’s a cool gear shift from the heavier material that precedes it and is catchy enough to be a single. Other highlights on the record include “I Believe,” “Red Handed Blues,” and “Blues Child.” Anthony Gomes sounds like he’s determined to maintain his place in the top tier of the blues/rock world and High Voltage Blues should do the trick for him. It’s an outstanding effort that vibes like he’s just getting started. Highly recommended.

Pre-order link for High Voltage Blues Here 

“I Believe”