REVIEW: Lightning Gusto : END OF THE MYSTERY (Single)

 Lightning Gusto’s new song END OF THE MYSTERY

Lightning Gusto, the “one man rock and roll band” based in Norway has just released his new song “END OF THE MYSTERY”. Formed back in 2016, this one man band has years of experience and truly hones his craft. Inspired by the likes of The Who, Led Zeppelin, Blue Oyster Cult and many more, Lightning Gusto embraces the energy and power through various artists and merges them to create his own energetic, exciting and melodic music. “END OF THE MYSTERY” was released on the 12th May 2024 and is available to hear on major streaming platforms. Just look out for the awesome cover art that provides a sneak preview at the storytelling throughout the song. 

The cover art, as mentioned, could be a reference to the story for the track, featuring what looks like remains of old music and events posters glued onto a venue wall and the idea of “what is really behind all these stories”. Of course that is just a theory but an interesting idea for the track.

We open the song with hard hitting drums and a powerful guitar combination that bursts into energy from the get go. Rock and roll fuels this track combining older school rock vocals and riffs with modern themes and writing. Throughout the song, energy and excitement are presented with the rhythms and catchy hook.

The vocals are beautifully performed and the lyrics are carefully written for the story told in the track. They give a true old school rock vibe. Throughout the track are various harmonic layers both with the vocals and instrumentation which are really well done - I love to hear it! 

The song shares the stories of music artists who disappeared and neve returned - does anyone really know what happened to them. This goes into the Elvis lives conspiracy in parts and reminisces on older musicians who in many cases are still thought of by listeners to this day (and now again through this song).

Next up is the guitar solo, which is simply awesome. It's expertly performed and seamlessly integrates into the track, enhancing the overall sound without overpowering it or feeling excessive. The solo adds just the right amount of flair and complexity, perfectly complementing the song without overshadowing the other elements. It's a standout moment that showcases both technical skill and tasteful restraint.

For the mixing and mastering for this track, it is great! The mixing doesn’t have overdone compression and over the top effects like a lot of today's more modern rock. With the use of analogue gear, preamps and a brilliant analogue Soundtracs mixing console, the realistic and honest sound of the instruments are captured for this song. All these analogue and more physical instruments are then joined by a synthesized sound that joins in the track bringing us to a futuristic sound. The older school rock with modern synthesizers creates a great (and rare) combination which also could relate back to the story of the track - are the missing musicians going to return (“The papers wrote he'll be back someday”).

I love the ending of the track (although I am sad the track came to an end) as it takes the energy from the rest of the track and just brings the listener to a slow and calmer stop to rest. The ending synth taps and gentle rhythm of the drums builds intrigue for future songs. 

Overall, this track has been an absolute delight to listen to. The energy and passion infused into the music by Lightning Gusto are truly commendable. The catchy hooks and engaging rhythms kept me hooked from the very beginning, and the lyrical depth added an extra layer of enjoyment. This song has left a lasting impression on me, and I find myself eagerly anticipating more releases from Lightning Gusto. Their ability to craft such captivating music leaves me excited to see how they will continue to evolve and what creative directions they will explore in their future projects. I am confident that their upcoming songs will be just as exhilarating and memorable.

Lightning Gusto’s first solo album will be out on 23rd September 2024.

Check out Lightning Gusto’s website here: https://www.lightninggusto.com/ and listen to the song here: https://soundcloud.com/user-471402564-155284949/end-of-the-mystery or https://open.spotify.com/track/2YmUOUwapKvCKHUEQX0sWU?si=8bac5c266027455c 

Written by Kole Cook

@Kolecookmusic