This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
I can only presume that the title of Slaughter’s latest album refers to their return to action following the tragic death of guitarist Tim Kelly last year in a car crash.
In reality, they’re not just back, they’re new and improved. Thanks to replacement axeman Jeff Blando, this is Slaughter’s strongest album in years, not to mention one of the most consistently listenable classic-rock discs I’ve spun in some time. Namesame frontman Mark Slaughter’s voice is still higher than Vince Neil’s after umpteen shots to the groin, the band are still tighter than a piccolo snare skin and Blando’s chunky riffs and Van Halen pyrotechnics teach these old dogs a few new tricks. Back To Reality just might be Slaughter’s ticket back to the future.
