Chris Laney has already won his laurels as a producer in the general Scandinavian region, being responsible for the sound of bands like Candlemass, Europe, CrashDiet, Bruce Kulick, Brian Robertson and Easy Action. His alter ego as a musician was confirmed with his participation in bands like Randy Piper’s Animal and for the Swedish sleaze revival pioneers Zan Clan. Working for the famous Polar Studios in Stocholm (founded by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of the legendary ABBA), Chris release his first personal work titled “Pure”, almost a year ago, giving a good sample of his personal opinion (not that we didn’t know already from the songs he has contributed to other artists or bands of the scene). This year, he releases his brand new album titled “Only Come Out At Night”.

After listening to the album for quite a number of times, the question is whether Chris Laney is looking for something more with this album or if it was just done for pleasure. Don’t get me wrong, the songs are pretty good with the typical verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus method, happy melodies and a profound dynamic and glamorous production. However, after the last song finishes…nothing. Actually, there’s nothing left. “Only Comes Out At Night” sound so drafty and hastily done, with the classic, satiated recipes of melodic hard songs used to an extreme, to the point that if I was told that it was written and recorded in a couple of days I would think it is obvious. Being accustomed and with a gusto for melodic hard rock, with an abundance of similar releases by European bands over the last few years,  this album seems really, really boring. Regrettably, not even bad.

Numerous guests like Bruce Kulick (KISS), Brian Robertson (Thin LIzzy, Motorhead), Conny Bloom (Hanoi Rocks, Electric Boys), Ian Haugland (Europe), Zinny Zan (Shotgun Messiah, Zan Clan) and Nalle Grizzly Pahlsson (Therion, Treat, Randy Piper’s Animal) give color to Chris Laney’s new one. Hoping on contradiction, the guests will be the only reason to remember this in the future. Now, if you were hit by lightning listening to Laney’s debut (which was, admittedly, good), then you will most probably be moved by this one too.