SEBASTIAN BACH: Child Within The Man (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Ten years! It's been a decade since Sebastian Bach, the emblematic and charismatic former lead singer of Skid Row's heyday, released an album! It has to be said that "Give 'Em Hell", like his previous solo albums, wasn't very exciting. On the other hand, Skid Row albums without him weren't much better... until the release of the excellent "The Gang's All Here" two years ago. This must have motivated our Baz, because with "Child Within The Man", he makes an unexpected comeback.

Classic in content, this album is also modern in form. Indeed, Sebastian Bach offers a very metal hard rock with a big modern production reminiscent of Dee Snider's latest solo albums (Twisted Sister) and not so far removed from "Subhuman Race" (minus the grunge punk side). Quite simply, it's like being back in the early 90s. Baz's voice may not be as high-pitched as on the first two Skid Row albums, but it's got enough left over to send shivers down our spines on the opening '(Hold On) To The Dream' or on the closing ballad 'To Live Again' (co-written with Myles Kennedy).

The album is sufficiently varied to keep interest throughout (11 tracks for 47mn30s, the perfect format), especially as the few guests (John 5, Orianthi, Steve Stevens) each bring their own personal touch. Tracks such as the furious intro 'Everybody Bleeds', the efficient 'Freedom', the very heavy 'Hard Darkness' and the crazy 'F.U.' are bound to hurt a lot live.

With "Child Within The Man", Sebastian Bach does more than reassure, he assures, offering us his best album since leaving Skid Row and should delight his fans. Let's just hope we don't have to wait another decade for the sequel. - Official website

SEBASTIAN BACH

CHILD WITHIN THE MAN

REIGNING PHOENIX MUSIC

HARD ROCK