Sebastian Bach

Angel Down (Get Off My Bach/Caroline)
By Martin Popoff

What’s a guy to do? First off, I’m glad Sebastian Bach has finally got an album out that looks good, digi, cool cover, even cooler title. But yes, what’s a guy to do? What can Baz do that pleases? Turns out, when he really tries (put down that joint!), quite a bit. But that’s not to say there aren’t five songs on here that could’ve been written by Zakk and slapped on Black Rain. Or the Iommi solo album. Which is all the stuff I don’t like, all those circular down-tuned doom patterns that Metal Mike has dished o’er to Halford on Crucible too. “Live & Die” is a cool example of mixing that with thoughtful arrangement and melody, and “Back In The Saddle” gets a cool, weird, greasy rhythm. But there’s another problem: Bach’s band – Mike, DiGiorgio, Jarzombek, producer Roy Z – are too good, playing all ProTooled up, crisp and intricate, which simply comes out the other end wiped clean an’ corporate. Stupid though, isn’t in? Complaining that a record is too high fidelity and the drummer is like the best you’ve ever heard. Trouble is, there are now 40 metal albums every year that sound like this. Anyway, damn, there are some really smart and/or pleasuring songs on here though, including the two ballads as well as high point “Stabbin’ Daggers.” But, case in point about theming this review around what we want and what we get: “You Bring Me Down” is a mix of horrible neo-Sabbath chords, but a gorgeous little glam metal jewel of a pre-chorus, a top-slidin’ vocal melody from Baz, as usual, his great leonine vocals, and then at least THREE killer breaks/jams. In other words, a whole lotta riffs sound like something a reality show metal band have to write in a hurry and by committee, but then all the little licks and proggy details crack nice smiles all over the place.
(www.sebastianbach.com)