What a year it’s been so far for
solo records and it continues with another superb release, this time from
former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach. The charismatic singer from Peterborough,
Ontario, Canada returns with his fifth solo album, Child within the Man, a follow-up to 2014’s Give 'Em Hell. His former bandmates
Skid Row put out a terrific LP back in 2022, The Gang’s All Here, so I was eager to see and hear how this album
would stack up against it. One thing’s for sure, Bach’s powerful and distinctive
vocals are just as amazing as back in his Skid Row days.
The album opens up with the
awesome “Everybody Bleeds”, which was the second single. It’s got a vintage
vibe while delivering a reinvigorated hard rock sound. Bach is in top form
here. “Freedom” follows, a high-octane rocker with a catchy riff. Next up is “(Hold
On) To the Dream”, the third single and a highlight of the LP. It may very well
be my favourite track on this record, but only time will tell. “What Do I Got to
Lose?” was the song that got the ball rolling late last year, the first single.
It sounds just as great now as it did when I first heard it, even after the excitement
of hearing a new song in such a long time has waned. “Hard Darkness” is an apt
title as it’s a darker, heavier song with a metal edge. “Future of Youth” features
tremendous guitars while “Vendetta” fires on all cylinders with its metal sensibilities.
“F.U.” doesn’t stand for what you think it does; it’s an anthemic, kick-ass
rock tune with a splendid guitar solo that’s simply one of my faves on the
record. “Crucify Me” just crushes it, an all-around cool headbanging tune, while
“About to Break” has a Joe Satriani feel on guitar and is one of the best songs
on the LP. “To Live Again” closes the set, a softer tune and the closest we get
to a bona fide ballad on this album. I dig it a lot.
After a couple of spins, I can
already say that Child Within the Man
is a strong contender for the Top Ten Albums of the Year list. Is it on par
with Skid Row’s 2022 offering? You bet your ass it is! As much as I loved Erik Grönwall
singing for Skid Row, Bach reminds us with this new record why he’s a
phenomenal vocalist who deserves to be recognized as one of the all-time greats
such as Freddie Mercury, Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, and Bruce Dickinson. Child Within the Man is all killer, no
filler. You won’t find a skippable track here. It’s a pure hard rock delight
from top to bottom. Bach has a sound of his own that doesn’t sound like just another
Skid Row album. Although, I wouldn’t have minded an old school ballad just for
old times sake. In any case, this is easily Bach’s best album in over twenty
years.
Sebastian Bach Online: https://www.sebastianbach.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment