Sebastian Bach – Give ‘Em Hell

Releasedate: 18-04-2014; Label: Frontiers Records
By: Gamze Öyünc

Ex-Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach is back with his 5th solo album “Give ‘em Hell”. The most eye-catching aspect of this album is that it is a star-studded album, the guest star musicians that contributed to it. Bach, being one of the most prominent figures of the 80’s rock scene, gathered these talented musicians for his album. Duff McKagan (G’N’R, Velvet Revolver) plays the bass, John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie – he has collaborated with him before in Bach’s previous album “Kicking and Screaming”), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and Devin Bronson (Pink, Avril Lavigne) play the guitars whereas Bob Jarzombek (Halford) kicks the drums. (Jarzombek has been playing the drums in Bach’s band since 2005.) And of course, Bach himself does the vocals with his screams from hell.

In the press kit that the Frontier Records released for the album’s promotion, Bach brags about his still-great vocals despite all the drinking and the crazy Rock ‘n Roll lifestyle that he is known for like all the other rock singers of the 80s and he cannot be blamed for doing so. The album kicks off with the track “Hell Inside My Head”. His voice still kicks ass in these songs. This album is by far the most impressive piece of work among Bach’s solo albums, it stands out easily with great personal lyrics, melodic songs straight out of the 80’s hard rock era and respectable musicianship.

The 80’s spirit is especially obvious with the track “Rock ‘n Roll Is a Vicious Game” that sounds like a generic Guns N Roses song that seems like a shout-out to probably the old Skid Row days and some public disputes with Slash during the Velvet Revolver auditions. The tracks on the album might recall the times from the 80s with the riffs and the spirit but it certainly does not mean that the album is not updated and solely nostalgic. “Give ‘Em Hell” is extremely dynamic and all the songs sound alive to the bone. Fans of good rock’n roll will love this album.

My favorite from the album is the track called “Push Away”, it has got some awesome screams by Bach and introspective lyrics. “Temptation” and “All My Friends Are Dead” stand out in the album as great tracks. Gotta say that when I first heard “Temptation” I thought to myself as a fan of the 80s rock “This tune sounds bloody brilliant!”. Well, those two songs and “Taking Back Tomorrow” are already released as singles from the album and they all have music videos and star guest appearances by the musicians that contributed to the album.

Go and get the album if you are a hard rock fan, craving the Mötley Crüe / GnR type of sound, and fond of a quality rock album. Bach and his band will be playing live shows this summer throughout America and Europe.
Here is a video about the album if you’re interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXUwggnFCZ0

Line up:
Sebastian Bach – Vocals
Bob Jarzombek – Drums
Devin Bronson – Guitars
Duff McKagan – Bass
Steve Stevens, John 5 – Guest Guitars

Links:
Sebastian Bach Official
Sebastian Bach Facebook