The "classic lineup" of the group would reunite in 1999 and began recording new material. However, the group continued to change lineups and Guns eventually left to form the hard rock supergroup Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe in 2002. L.A. Guns continued without Guns, bringing in guitarist Stacey Blades, however, following his decision to put Brides of Destruction on hiatus in 2006, Guns formed The Tracii Guns Band. The group's lineup consisted of former L.A. Guns members Black, Alexander as well as Jeremy Guns (though the lineup would eventually change), with the group eventually changing their name to L.A. Guns. Both groups continued to record and tour under the L.A. Guns moniker until 2012, when the Tracii Guns-led version of the group disbanded. Riley died in 2023.
L.A. Guns (feat. Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis) released a new single "Let You Down" on May 6, 2020. It was released as the first single from their then-upcoming fourteenth studio album Checkered Past, which was released on November 12, 2021, and featured producer Adam Hamilton on drums.
In May 2022, it was announced that Shawn Duncan had replaced Shane Fitzgibbon as their drummer. In the following month, guitarist Ace Von Johnson revealed that L.A. Guns had been working on new material for their next studio album. The resulting album, Black Diamonds, was released on April 14, 2023.
Hellraisers Ball
L.A. Guns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to rip it off the wall
Count down the seconds to the
The hell raisers ball
An evil celebration
Don't need no invitation
This one you will not miss
Come down
To the hell raisers ball
I'm gettin' down
To the hell raisers ball
Black metal postcard
From the edge of time
They spelled your name wrong
But you don't mind
You'll see all kinds of demons
And think that you are dreamin'
It starts just after midnight
Dance naked in the moonlight
Come down
To the hell raisers ball
I'm gettin' down
To the hell raisers ball
The lyrics of L.A. Guns's song Hellraisers Ball speak of a rebellious and hedonistic event, which involves the participation of the singer and a group of people, who are excited to attend. The song starts with the expression of the singer's boredom with his mundane life, as he fervently wishes to break out of it. The imagery of the "boring clock" signifies monotony, which the singer wants to escape, and he desires to "rip it off the wall." He is instead counting the seconds until the "hell raisers ball" where he intends to party and indulge in hedonistic pleasures.
The song goes on to describe a gathering that is "an evil celebration" in which no invitation is needed. The singer explains that attendees of the hell raisers ball will witness events and activities that may seem like a dream, and the party starts after midnight. The last verse of the song takes a more surreal turn as the singer, through the metaphorical mentioning of demons, conveys how the event will be both wild and intense. The line "dance naked in the moonlight" suggests a very primal and carnal aspect to the event.
Overall, the lyrics of Hellraisers Ball paint a picture of a place where people escape from their boring lives and indulge in their wildest desires, without fear of repercussions. The song provides an insight into the human desire for rebelliousness and escapism.
Line by Line Meaning
Tick tock the boring clock
This song describes boredom with everyday life
I want to rip it off the wall
The singer wants to break free from the monotony of their routine
Count down the seconds to the
They are eagerly anticipating something exciting to happen
The hell raisers ball
This is a metaphor for a wild, untamed party
An evil celebration
The party is meant to celebrate evilness and chaos
Don't need no invitation
Anyone can come to the party regardless of their social status
This one you will not miss
The party is too exciting to pass up
Your name is on the death list
This is a warning that the party could be dangerous
Come down
Come join in the fun
To the hell raisers ball
The metaphorical party of chaos and devilry
I'm gettin' down
They are excited and ready to party hard
Black metal postcard
This line refers to a type of music and art that is associated with darkness and rebellion
From the edge of time
This party is unique and outside of normal time and space
They spelled your name wrong
The singer's name has been butchered, but it doesn't matter
But you don't mind
The excitement of the party outweighs any small details
You'll see all kinds of demons
The party has an otherworldly and supernatural vibe
And think that you are dreamin'
The artist might question if they are really experiencing what they are seeing
It starts just after midnight
The party happens late at night when normal people are asleep
Dance naked in the moonlight
This party encourages uninhibited behavior and sexual freedom
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, RIVERTON ONE MUSIC
Written by: ADAM HAMILTON, PHIL LEWIS, STEVE RILEY, TRACII GUNS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind