Artist: Paul Sabu 
   Title: Strange Messiah
   Label: AOR Heaven

Paul Sabu has a rock n’ roll pedigree that goes back over 25 years as a vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and producer.  Solo work, including the classic Heartbreak album from ’85, Alexa’s first album, three albums with his band Only Child and writing and producing for a variety of world class artists have had him associated with some of the greatest melodic rock records over the last 3 decades.

I got turned on to Paul Sabu when I was DJ’ing in the early 80’s, and a friend who used to travel to the US regularly brought some demo’s of the Heartbreak album back.  The man has produced some great work since then although he should never have given Alexa the songs that became her album. 

2007 sees Paul Sabu collabarating with Michael Voss, producer and guitarist on this album and an array of talent that includes, Angel Schleifer of Bonfire, Ralf Heyne of Biss and Thorsten Koehne of Demon Drive.

Kicking off the album is the title track 'Strange Messiah', this is a meaty slice of rock with a huge guitar and bass sound, Sabu, unfortunately, pushing the envelope vocally and sounding hoarse.

Track 2 'Dangerous Behaviour' starts off with a promising piece of melodic guitar, a mid tempo rocker and a great guitar solo make this one of the highlights of the album and my favourite.

This leads us into 'Blow By Blow', opening up with a sub-Bon Jovi guitar sound that takes you into some AC/DC style riffage and a pounding bassline, but once again Sabu shrieks and wails through the song, until the middle eight, where he puts in a great David Coverdale inpersonation.  The award for Best Guitar Solo goes to this song.

Next up is 'Ashes Of Wrong', a slowburner with a pummelling bassline carrying the song and a vocal performance better suited to the song.  Very reminiscent of 'Valley Of The Kings' by Blue Murder.

'Fighting To Die' is next with a bluesy guitar feel to the song and once again Sabu puts down a great vocal, sounding very much like Gary Bardens (MSG, Statetrooper) at times, especially on the chorus.

Now don’t laugh but the next song is called 'Headbangers', with a DC shriek and a holler we’re into the song and this is a huge slice of stadium rock and a more restrained vocal performance.

'Hey Look (But Don’t Touch)' is up next, and the intro sounds very familiar.  This is another straightahead rocker, great guitar work and a solid rythmn section but another shriek and wail performance from the man himself.

'Piece Of My Heart' kicks in with some huge guitar and bass, leading into a fantastic pre-chorus piece of melodic rock, but you just get the feeling the song would suit a smoother set of pipes.  More solid guitar, bass and drums make it easier to get into this song and a another fantastic guitar solo.

Penultimate song on the album was co-written with Vinny Appice (Heaven & Hell), 'Jack Of All Trades' is the most contemporary song on the album, but a bludgeoning vocal lets the song down, although the pre-chorus shows us exactly what Paul Sabu is capable of when he doesn’t force those vocal chords.

Finishing off the album is a stormer of a song, 'Rock Your World' and it does what it says on the tin. Think AC/DC, Jackyl and Dirty Looks with a great slide guitar workout and you’ll be close.

All in all this a far heavier album than I was expecting and although the vocals aren’t quite up to scratch on certain tracks, you have to look at the bigger picture. 

The overall performance of all the individuals involved is top notch, the songs have benefitted from some great arrangement and the production from Michael Voss really shows in the clarity of the overall sound.  You could do worse than buy this album, so give it a go.

* Review by Brassy.

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