Zan/Cody – ‘Beautiful ‘N Damned’

(Frontiers Music)

There are some reunions that feel like little more than a nostalgic cash-in, and then there are those rare occasions when old chemistry reignites with genuine purpose. Beautiful ‘N Damned, the debut album from Zan / Cody, falls firmly into the latter category. Bringing together former Shotgun Messiah members Zinny Zan and Harry Cody, this record doesn’t simply trade on past glories; it takes the sleazy, streetwise hard rock attitude that made them cult heroes and drags it kicking and screaming into 2026!

For fans of melodic hard rock, glam-infused riffs, and the darker edge of sleaze rock, this album is an absolute treat. It captures the grit, swagger and attitude of the late eighties while embracing a modern production style that gives the music extra weight and power. The result is an album that feels both familiar and fresh, a difficult balancing act that Zan and Cody pull off with impressive confidence.

What immediately stands out is the atmosphere. Rather than delivering a straightforward Sunset Strip throwback, Beautiful ‘N Damned embraces a darker, moodier identity. Industrial textures, gothic undertones and brooding melodies frequently creep into the sound, giving the record a unique personality that separates it from many of today's retro-rock releases.

At the heart of the album is Harry Cody’s guitar work. Quite simply, the man remains a phenomenal player. His riffs are sharp, memorable and packed with attitude, while his solos never feel self-indulgent. Every lead break serves the song, adding melody and excitement without ever overshadowing the bigger picture. There’s a real sense of craftsmanship throughout the album, with Cody proving once again why he remains one of the most underrated guitarists to emerge from the Scandinavian hard rock scene.

Then there’s Zinny Zan! The years have added character to his voice, but they certainly haven’t diminished his ability to command a song. His distinctive rasp remains instantly recognisable, dripping with attitude and personality. Whether delivering swaggering sleaze rock hooks or leaning into the album’s darker and more atmospheric moments, Zan sounds completely invested in every performance. There’s an authenticity here that cannot be manufactured. You believe every word because he sings with the conviction of someone who has lived every mile of rock and roll excess.

One of the album’s greatest achievements is its consistency. Too many modern hard rock albums deliver two or three strong songs before disappearing into filler territory. Beautiful ‘N Damned never suffers from that problem. The songwriting remains focused from beginning to end, packed with memorable choruses and strong melodies. This is melodic hard rock in the truest sense of the phrase. No matter how heavy or dark the arrangements become, there is always a hook lurking around the corner waiting to grab your attention.

The production deserves significant praise too. Mixed by Chris Laney, the album strikes an ideal balance between classic sleaze authenticity and modern punch. The guitars have plenty of bite, the rhythm section drives the songs with authority, and every instrument sits perfectly within the mix. It sounds polished without losing its dangerous edge. Importantly, it never feels overproduced, allowing the personality of the musicians to shine through.

What I particularly enjoy is how naturally the album flows. There’s enough variety to keep things interesting, yet the record never loses its identity. The darker industrial flourishes blend seamlessly with the sleaze rock foundation, creating an album that feels cohesive rather than experimental for the sake of it. It’s the sound of two musicians drawing from decades of experience and confidently following their instincts.

For longtime Shotgun Messiah fans, there will undoubtedly be moments that trigger memories of the past. However, this isn’t an attempt to recreate 1989. Instead, it feels like the logical next chapter in a story that was left unfinished decades ago. The spirit of those classic records remains intact, but the songwriting reflects musicians who have evolved and matured over time.

The sleaze revival has produced plenty of enjoyable albums over the years, but few have carried this level of authenticity. Zan and Cody aren't pretending to be rock stars from another era, they are rock stars from that era, bringing their experience, scars and wisdom into a modern setting. That gives Beautiful ‘N Damned an emotional weight that many of its contemporaries simply cannot match.

A wonderfully dark way to open the album, ‘Sever’ immediately establishes that this isn't simply a nostalgia trip. Industrial textures, gothic atmosphere and a wonderfully sinister guitar sound give it a modern edge, while Zinny Zan's unmistakable rasp adds the sleaze. The chorus is huge, and Harry Cody delivers a superb guitar solo. A seriously impressive opener.

‘I Am The Shit’, the title alone tells you exactly what attitude you're getting here! This is lighter, swaggering and ridiculously infectious, with a fantastic guitar hook and backing vocals adding to the fun. There's almost a faux-live atmosphere to it, while the spoken-word section adds another layer of character. It's cocky, cheeky and impossible not to enjoy.

Now we're talking! ‘Ride Or Die’ has that perfect sleaze-rock combination of killer riff, attitude and a chorus that demands to be shouted along with. Cody's guitar work is superb, while Zan sounds completely at home delivering the swagger. One of those songs where the chemistry between these two musicians is impossible to miss.

A complete change of pace, and all the better for it. ‘Suffer City’ takes its time building the tension before gradually drawing you into its darker world. The arrangement is atmospheric and brooding, allowing Zan to explore a slightly more restrained vocal approach. There's a real sense of melancholy underneath the hard-rock exterior, making this one of the album's more intriguing moments.

‘She Walks With Violence’, dark, bluesy and wonderfully strange, this one heads somewhere considerably more gothic. The opening has an almost spoken-word quality before the song settles into a brooding groove. There's a constant feeling that it's about to explode, yet it deliberately holds back. That restraint gives it an unsettling charm and makes it one of the album's most atmospheric pieces.

‘Damn’, this is sleaze rock with its boots firmly planted on the accelerator. The guitars are front and centre, the groove is irresistible and Zan delivers the whole thing with enormous attitude. It's got that gloriously dirty Eighties feel without sounding dated.

‘Let’s Be Heroes’, a more dreamy, reflective number that shows there's considerably more depth to Zan/Cody than attitude and leather jackets. The melodic guitar work is excellent, while the arrangement carries a slightly melancholic character. It still rocks, but there's an emotional quality here that makes it particularly memorable.

‘Beautiful ‘N Damned’, the title track is a perfect representation of everything this album does right. Dark, melodic, powerful and beautifully produced, it combines gothic atmosphere with classic hard-rock muscle. The keyboards and guitars work brilliantly together, while Zan delivers one of his most commanding performances. Beautiful and damned indeed.

‘Bad Bad Man’, time to get dirty again! There's a blues-rock swagger running through this one, with a wonderfully stomping rhythm and plenty of attitude. Cody's guitar work has a beautifully gritty quality, while Zan sounds like he's having an absolute ball. It's rough around the edges in exactly the right way.

A cracking way to finish the album. ‘Tear It All Down’ brings back the sleazy Eighties flavour with a huge riff, infectious groove and another memorable vocal performance. Cody gets plenty of opportunity to remind us just how good he is, while Zan gives the song all the swagger it needs.

Ultimately, Beautiful ‘N Damned is everything a melodic hard rock fan could hope for. It’s gritty, melodic, dark, catchy and overflowing with personality. The riffs hit hard, the choruses stick in your head, the vocals ooze charisma and the production gives the whole thing a powerful contemporary edge.

Most importantly, it sounds like two musicians genuinely enjoying themselves and creating music on their own terms. That enthusiasm is infectious and impossible to ignore.

If you love sleaze rock with substance, melodic hard rock with attitude, and albums that balance nostalgia with forward momentum, then Beautiful ‘N Damned deserves a place in your collection. It’s a triumphant return from two genuine legends of the genre and one of the strongest sleaze rock releases of the year.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Beautiful ‘N Damned’

Review by Woody