Sebastian Bach
Angel Down

THE REVIEW

I feel the weight and the desire to review this album in equal measure...

Well. Sebastian Bach. An incomparable voice and charisma for those who, in life, have had the fortune to stumble upon those two splendid works that were "Skid Row" (1989) and "Slave To The Grind" (1991).

Second solo studio album after "Bring 'Em Bach Alive!" from 1998, "Angel Down" features musicians of great talent such as Steve Di Giorgio (bass), Bobby Jarzomberk (drums), Jhonny Chromatic and "Metal" Mike (guitars) and boasts the participation of another important and unforgettable rock voice such as Axl Rose for 3 of the 14 tracks present.

The 55 minutes start with the title track "Angel Down" which foreshadows in every way what will be found on this CD, namely a great concentration of Heavy Metal of enormous energy and power as the genre dictates, enriched by a voice as gritty as ever, clear, "rediscovered".

The style remains pretty much streamlined throughout the songs, the remarkable voice reaches exhilarating heights while always remaining clean, and the instruments accompany it excellently, forming a perfect union both in the most frenetic and sharp riffs and in the two ballads present "By your Side" and "Falling Into You" which, with a nostalgic flashback, recall the famous "18&Life" and "I Remember You", but in general, this product screams its independence from that musical past in all the other 12 purely Hard Rock & Heavy tracks that never make one miss the albeit splendid "Glam" or "Street" that characterized Sebastian and company in the golden days.

I realize I may be a bit biased proclaiming this album a masterpiece (but it is for me), nonetheless, distancing myself as much as possible from my burning passion, we are talking about an excellent work and a promising return in the saddle for a highly gifted vocalist with great love for Rock, demonstrated extensively with this CD which, despite the more or less insistent rumors that labeled him as "softened" (considering the appearances on "Gilmore Girls", theater, and various appearances) reminds us that the spirit remains One (even if it seems repressed for some time!) and since the CD was largely self-funded, it pays tribute to an artist who believes in this musical genre and does it with the grit of the early days.

A small but necessary parenthesis goes to the important collaborations with Desmond Child and Ralph Santolla, and the not negligible fact that, beyond the vocal aspect, Mr. Bach proves himself a true talent in arranging and composing.

FINAL VERDICT: Must Have!