I loved him when he was in Skid Row and when he started out after that on his own but then kinda lost touch after “Angel Down” , but now he’s back and in a big way, ten years on from his last foray into solo territory with “Give ‘Em Hell” he is set to release “Child Within The Man” on the 10th of May and it is a triumphant return.
The opening track “Everyone Bleeds” burst into life with a heavy drum and bass line that hit you like a freight train with a deadly riff over the top, Bach’s voice is amazing as it always was; gritty but still well able to hit the high notes, Bronson’s solo near the end is brilliant, talk about a kick-ass opener. “Freedom” comes in hot on its heels and with no sign of letting up; a groovy riff opens it up before the drums come crashing in over the top to add a nice bit of heft, Bach is on top form as he screams his way through the track and John 5 adds his killer guitar talents to this one laying it on thick with a monster solo, this is one of the best tracks on the album and we’re only two deep at this stage. The hits keep on coming and “(Hold On) To The Dream” is no different as Bach lures you in with the pretence of a ballad with hushed vocals before the band proceeds to melt your face with a barnstormer of a track, chugging riffs, blistering drums and a rumbling bass line backing up Bach gravelly vocals, the guitar work from Bronson is amazing and the solo he drops is top notch but Bach steals the show here with vocals, a beast of a track.
Driven by the mighty drum and bass combo “What Do I Got To Lose” has a southern groove to it that will have the toe-tapping and the fists pumping as Bach lets all his swagger flow; doing what only he can, entertain you, a cracking tune. “Hard Darkness” is down-tuned a little giving it a real heavy rhythm with it’s doom-laden bass and drum beat, crunching riffs and Bach’s savage vocals, which range from a Mustaine snarl to a Myles Kennedy high, are the high point of a stonking track. “Future Of Youth” features Australian guitar wonder Orionthi who lends her immense wizardry to this track, between the blast beats from the drums, Orionthi’s killer licks, to die for solo and Bach’s unbelievable vocals on this one you have an absolute monster, a real stand out track. With “Vendetta” the track goes one way then another; opening with a softer approach into the verse that breaks down with a chugging riff and a thunderous drum beat which in turn falls away to a slightly mellower verse with a kooky riffs before the heavier rhythm comes back in, a good track that ebbs and flows nicely with some fantastic guitar work and great vocals from Bach.
“F.U.” blasts out of the speakers with a hard rock kick that is just what the doctor ordered, the track tears along allowing you to rock out big time, Steve Stevens of Billy Idol fame throws his weight behind this one and boy does he shred when he lets go, it’s like the whole band has been energised by him and they all let rip from Colson’s drum, Kerns’ bass, Bronson’s guitar and Bach himself putting in a monster shift this is a brutal track, one of if not the best on the album. The slower heavy guitar riff on “Crucify Me” signifies a beast is about to be unleashed and man is it, while it lacks the pace and tempo of previous tracks it makes up for it with heft in the form of a thick bass line, thumping drums and Bach snarling and sniping his way through the track, the guitars are once again off the hook as you are served up another brilliant track. “About To Break” is the weakest track on the album and it’s not that it’s bad just very disjointed everything seems all over the place like to many ideas for a song we just mashed together in the hope that it’ll work, the only saving grace is Bronson’s guitar work. The album closes with “To Live Again” a power ballad that is right up Bach’s street as it suits his massive voice and offers a nice uplifting way to finish off the album.
To say I was sceptical of this album is an understatement but then these are the ones that surprise you most and this most certainly did with Bach back to his best.
Child Within The Man lands Friday, May 10th – Pre-order the album HERE.
Review: Conor
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Sebastian Bach:
Sebastian Bach Vocals
Devin Bronson Guitars
Todd Kearns Bass
Jeremy Colson Drums
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