 |
RELEASED:November 20 2007
PRODUCER: Roy Z
LABEL: MRV
BAND:
Sebastian Bach
"Metal" MikeChlasciak
Johnny Chromatic
Steve DiGiorgio
Bobby Jarzombek |
+
Vocals, Songs, Axl Rose
-
Baz is not for everyone
|
TRACKS:
1.Angel Down 2. You Don't Understand 3. Back In The Saddle (feat. Axl Rose) 4. (Love Is) A Bitchslap (feat. Axl Rose) 5. Stuck Inside (feat. Axl Rose) 6. American Metalhead 7. Negative Light 8. Live & Die 9. By Your Side 10. Our Love Is A Lie 11. Take You Down With Me 12. Stabbin' Daggers 13. You Bring Me Down
14. Falling Into You |
OVERVIEW
It has been eight years since Sebastian Bach's last released his solo album, but that is all about to change. Bach is set to release,” Angel Down" on November 20th. It would appear that Bach has struck a deal with the devil, as he takes you into the depths of hell with a fiery performance that rivets his live stage show. Many artists fail in capturing that raw, intense feel of their stage show, but Bach and his touring band capture all of the intensity of a live show on their upcoming release,” Angel Down".
Sebastian Bach's upcoming release picks up where,” Slave to The Grind" left off. Although, this record features a different cast of characters than Skid Row, Bach has found the perfect combination of musicians that share his musical influences but at the same time give his band a bold, new vibrant ambiance and heavy, direct approach to the song-writing.
Digging deep into his musical roots, Sebastian Bach delivers a CD that combines a taste of the past, but also dives right into the future making,” Angel Down" sound like nothing the versatile singer has ever written.
SONGS
Opening track,” Angel Down:" captures the vibe of the entire album, with it's war laden lyrics and hook laden guitar grooves, as Sebastian sings,” Waiting For The Battle Cry,” I Took You Into Hell, Step Inside". Second track,” You Don't Understand", has that Iron Maidenish guitar groove that gives that song a great catchy feel.
One of the most exciting features on "Angel Down" is that it features guest vocals from Guns N" Roses singer Axl Rose. Bach toured the world last year with Axl, so it seems only fitting that two of the strongest singers in the world share the microphone on the next 3 songs in a row on "Angel Down". The first song that Axl shares the microphone with Sebastian is on their remake of Aerosmith's, "Back In The Saddle". This is an amazing remake of the Aerosmith cover, that kind of reminds me of Guns N' Roses meets Aerosmith on speed. Sebastian sings the opening line, but it is Axl who takes over on the vocal duties on the rest of the song. I think I would have enjoyed Sebastian belting out the lead more, as Axl's vocals kind of get lost in the mix, but I do like the remake of this updated version of the classic hit. Next up features the single off of,” Angel Down" called,"(Love Is) A Bitchslap. The song grasps you from opening guitar riff, as Axl shares the vocals duties with Sebastian. Skull crushing guitars and soaring vocals make this song, probably one of the strongest tunes on the album. Another favorite,” Stuck Inside" Is also features the dynamic duo and brilliantly crafted guitar work that goes from melodic to heavy, with different tempos reminiscent of Stone Sour. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with 3 tunes back to back featuring Axl and Sebastian.
"American Metalhead" has a kind of punk infused vibe, reminiscent of early Ramones. "Negative Light" is very dark with a "Toolish" appeal.
When I asked in which direction Sebastian wanted to take,” Angel Down", Sebastian told me,” At this point in my career I am going to my grave trying to beat,” Slave to The Grind." Which I think is the best record I ever did. I just want to make an album that you can put in your I-pod next to the other albums I did and have it fit and make sense. Some of my favorite bands like Rush and AC/DC; they have 20 or 30 records. I got like five or six. That is what I want to do. I want to out a kick ass, fuckin hard rock sleazy, balls out rock and roll record."
Sebastian does have 2 power ballads on "Angel Down'. First ballad "By Your Side", is a beautifully crafted guitar intro, weaved around Sebastian's sensitive, passionate vocals. This song is for the female fans, who loved,” I Remember You". It is a love gone wrong song with all of the emotion of "I Remember You".
I asked recently asked Sebastian his thoughts on singing ballads and he told me,” I will always sing ballads on my record. I love singing ballads; I don't consider it wimpy or anything. My voice is made to song ballads. I emotionally connect. I can sing a lot of different kinds of music so. I am going to take the best songs and make the most interesting album I can. Whatever it comes out like, it comes out like. But it definitely has some real heavy moments on it too. I don't want the whole album to be the same. Anything I have ever done, sometimes people don't realize when I put my name on, you know I am not going to let you down. You will get what you think, you are going to get. I won't let the fans down"
Slowing things down only for a moment, the band takes you on another one of their musical journeys with a Jimmy Page and Yardbirds guitar vibe on,” Our Love Is A Lie'. It also kind of has the Velvet Revolver kind of bluesy Slash approach. Sebastian is singing better than ever, belting out the chorus with much enthusiasm.
"Angel Down" never really lets down its brutal guitar onslaught, that is ever so prevalent in,” Take You Down With Me'. This song has that Pantera feel, and powerful Bach vocals.” You Bring Me Down" has a catchy driving beat, and also features Sebastian in a modern skull crushing setting.
The last song on "Angel Down" takes you back to the 80's, with a power ballad that was co-written by Bach and Desmond Child called,”Falling Into You”. You know right then and there, it is going to be slick and has the "In A Darkened Room" kind of vibe. I like the way, approaches the singing part of this love gone wrong song, and the guitar work is haunting.
CONCLUSION
The album flows very well, as singer Sebastian Bach, never forgetting his musical roots, steps into the future of his solo career with a new vibrant, skull crushing CD power packed with songs that reflect the state of the world today. This Cd is a must for fans, who have followed the singer’s career from his early Skid Row days. The songwriting is carefully structured, as Sebastian proves once again, he is indeed a force to be reckoned with as the voice of the "Youth Gone Wild" opens the door to a whole new generation of fans.
Review
by Debby Rao
