Album review: SEBASTIAN BACH – ABachalypse Now

Frontiers www.frontiers.it

Sebastian Bach is about to release the double live CD and DVD extravaganza that is “ABachalypse Now”. To get it out of the way first, there are not many bands who can replace such a distinct sounding front man and get away with it, Van Halen being the only obvious exception, and as Bach’s former band Skid Row have found- it’s the recognisable sound of the vocals that appeals to most fans. Can you imagine going to see, let’s say, Bon Jovi and finding, for example, Gary Cherone fronting the band- whilst JBJ is touring himself- who would you rather pay to see?

Now, I have seen the Bach-less Skid Row and I have seen his own solo band, in fact I have seen them twice on this tour, and it’s fair to say that whilst Skid Row now remind me of a tribute band, Seb’s band could be the real deal.

New live CD “ABachalypse Now” features 2 live sets, the first from France’s 2012 Hellfest Festival and the second from Live at Nokia, Los Angeles. Whether you like him or not, there is no denying the command Bach holds over an audience and on the first disc he speaks to them in French between some of the songs and you get the feeling that this is going down rather well as the crowd is audibly loving his set. That set mixing Skid Row classics such as “Here I Am”, “Piece of Me”, “Big Guns”, “Monkey Business”, “18 & Life” and “I Remember You” with newer solo tracks like “Kicking & Screaming”, “Tunnelvision” and “American Metalhead”- the big one however, it is safe to say, is set closer “Youth Gone Wild”.

The second disc contains a shorter but no less impressive gig from Los Angeles. Bach is joined onstage by band members Nick Sterling and Johnny Chromatic on guitar, bassist Jason Rappise and on drums Bobby Jarzombek- and it is this solid band that hands him the fire power to deliver a thundering set on both discs.

The DVD contains both shows in addition to the bands Graspop Festival in Belgium, also from 2012, as well as various backstage footage and videos for “Kicking & Screaming”, “TunnelVision” and “I’m Alive”.

With talk of a possible Skid Row reunion seeming to edge further away, I know where I’m putting my money.

*****

Nikk Gunns

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)