|
Many people look
back at the eighties rock scene with antipathy, but unless you were into
that whole scene, you like me will look back on the eighties scene as one
of the most productive music scenes ever, with bands (good quality bands)
coming out of nowhere and really living the rock n' roll dream.
Something that I’m afraid bands of today will never experience.
Another thing to come out of that era was the true ROCK STAR, not of your
fly-by-nights. None of your Pete Doherty’s or Amy Winehouse’s, these
guys knew how to party hard but also how to deliver on stage.
One of the
biggest vocal stars to come out of that era was Sebastian Bach, a man who
never pulled his punches and still stands as one of the finest rock
vocalists around, not just for his Skid Row days (with which he will
always be associated), but also for his 'Last Of The Hardmen' and solo
albums, as well as his stage and small screen appearances.
But one thing
Bach has always been is a hard ass rocker and now he returns with an album
that is worthy of the Bach name. ’Angel Down’ is one, if not the
best, release since 'Slave To The Grind' in my opinion.
With guest
vocals by long time friend Axl Rose on three tracks, this album rocks big
style.
The album itself
opens up with the title track ‘Angel Down’ and instantly you're blown away
by the power that Bach brings to any album and with Mike Chlasciak and
Johnny Chromatic blasting out the riffs and Bobby Jarombek just pummelling
away on the skins, the final piece of the Metal puzzle is the thunderous
bass of Steve DiGiorgio, this opener just oozes class.
The album
continues with another thumping slice of metal with ‘You Don’t
Understand’, with the guitars of Chlasciak and Chromatic getting this one
underway, then those unmistakable vocals of Bach tower above everything in
a display of power that is still as great as those Skid Row days.
The first of
three songs with Axl Rose is a cover of Aerosmith’s ‘Back In The Saddle’,
with the two vocalists sharing equal marks for power on this excellent
version of a classic. No matter what is said about these two titan
vocalists in the press, you can't help but admire the sheer power that
both still exude some 20 years after their introduction to the rock world.
The second of
the twin vocal assaults is ‘(Love Is) A Bitchslap’, a real grinding vocal
assault by the two as they power through this up tempo rocker, with the
riffs of the guitarists Chlasciak and Chromatic just adding to the
splendour of the track.
The last of the
three is ‘Stuck Inside’, the heaviest of the three, a track which could
have easily been on Slave with its mixed tempo’s and tremendous rhythms.
This is Seb at his very best.
One of the many
highlights of the album has to be the next track ‘American Metalhead’ with
its Accept style guitar opening and Bach’s ear-piercing vocals, this is
anthemic rock with that hardened edge you've come to expect with Bach.
After a
thunderous six tracks you’d think the album would slow down just a touch
but no the Bach express train keeps on rolling with ‘Negative Light’ and
‘Live & Die’. Although then we do get time to catch our breath with
the mellow tones of ‘By Your Side’. This is where Seb shows he’s not
just a wailing machine as this one is a top draw rock ballad.
It's back to the
up beat hard rockin' with ‘Our Love Is A Lie’ and the stunning 'Take Me
Down With You', with Chlasciak and Chromatic both shining once more with
the staple foundation of the rhythm section of DiGiorgio and Jarzombek
just magnificent and the icing on the cake being of course Bach.
The up tempo
feel is carried on to the end of the album with ‘Stabbin Daggers’ and ‘You
Bring Me Down’, before Bach teams up with Desmond Child for the album
finale the stirring ballad ‘Falling Into You’.
Did I say
finale? Well this new UK exclusive digi-pack release also features a 5
track DVD entitled ‘Roadrage’, featuring 'The Making Of Angel Down’ which
is interwoven between live versions of ‘American Metalhead’ recorded in
Detroit, ‘Stuck Inside’ recorded in Japan, (Love Is) A Bitchslap’ ‘By You
Side’ recorded in Calgary, Canada and ‘You Don’t Understand’ recorded in
Winnipeg, Canada. This extra dvd footage all makes for a great insight
into the man behind the scenes and shows what a great showman he still is.
This additional dvd truly makes this release a must buy for both Seb fans
and fans of Hard Rock done as it was meant to be, FULL ON! |
