Sebastian Bach - Kicking and Screaming

With what's probably the best release of his career, Sebastian Bach need no longer be called "former Skid Row frontman".It's gotta be hard trying to reinvent yourself if you're a rocker from back in the day.  Many bands that had success in the 80s/early 90s are still trying to get back in the spotlight again, but it seems they've lost something along the way; the songwrtiting ideas have become stale and it seems like many of these bands just end up going through the motions.  Whether it be for the love of money or the music remains to be seen. 

Sebastian Bach, if you haven't been following his career since the heyday of Skid Row, has been developing himself as a working vocalist in the truest sense. With a stint on Broadway in Phantom of the Opera and on TV in Gilmore Girls, he has proven that he is more than just a one trick pony trying to live off the glory of Skid Row's success from decades ago.  Since his departure from the Skids, Bas has released a few solo efforts that really haven't gone anywhere - until now.  Sebastian's latest, Kicking and Screaming, could be the strongest thing he's released since Slave to the Grind.

Kicking and Screaming shows Bach at the top of his game; he hasn't sounded this strong in years.  Along with Sebastian is his new hotshot guitarist Nick Sterling.  Don't let Sterling's young appearance fool you, because this kid can rip.  The CD starts out by pummeling you with the title track, a mid-tempo rocker driven by one sick-ass riff.  You can tell from the first note that this is going to be a heavy record.  And while the vibe of the record is satisfyingly edgy, it maintains a solid melody throughout.  The whole record isn't all heavy though.  Bach and company have included some stellar ballads like I'm Alive and Dream Forever, making for a very well rounded CD with some good variety with well-written songs that stick with you. 

Bottom Line: The best thing that Sebastian Bach has done in years.  Bach finally leaves the shadow of his former band and has established himself as a solid solo artist.  This is the first of hopefully many more to come.  Easily the best thing to come from Bach - or the Skids - since Slave to the Grind. 

Standout Tracks: Kicking and Screaming, Tunnelvision, I'm Alive and Dream Forever

- Ragman was blown away by how good this one was.  It lived up to the hype.

Dream Theater - Live at Budokan (BluRay)

Dream Theater is one of those bands that is solid every time you see them.  Whether it be live or on video, you know you're going to get your moneys worth.  Over the years the band has issued some great live DVD's which capture them in their element and bring them into your living room.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has just released the band's DVD, Live in Budokan on BluRay.  This show was previously only available on standard DVD, but is now coming at you in HD (BluRay).  The show was from the band's 2003/2004 tour, supporting the Train of Thought album. 

The show was shot in HD, and in the BluRay format, looks more amazing than it's previous standard release.  The quality of the picture is amazing and gives you a sense of being in the first row.  The camera work on this video, is right where you want it at the most critical moments, for example: a Petrucci solo or a Rudess wank fest.  I have to say this is one of my favorite DT videos.  The set list is spot on and the performances kill.  Even if you have the standard release of this video, I highly recommend getting this on BluRay, because it far exceeds the original release in sound and video.

Bottom Line: A great video that got even better.  The Bluray upgrade of this classic show is worth the price of admission.  DT firing on all cylinders and putting on a stellar performance.

-Ragman loves the way this video looks.

Riverdogs - World Gone Mad

I never thought I would see the day that the Riverdogs would put out anew CD.  After the band's, hard to get and very rare, sophomore release Bone (1993), I was sure that they were done for good.  Too bad Bone didn't get the exposure it should have, because the band might have carried on.  I think with the departure of Vivian Campbell (Ex-Dio, Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy), after the debut, as well as the rise of grunge, that that record, like many others from that time period, got buried.  Fast forward to 2011 and the Riverdogs are back, Campbell included.  The band have just released their first CD in over 18 years called World Gone Mad.  To be truthful here, most of the tunes were from demos recorded back in 03, but have just been updated for this release.  World Gone Mad is an 8 track release that will hopefully spawn further releases.

Unlike the band's self titled debut, World Gone Mad is less guitar oriented and focuses more on the songwriting.  The band has always been about good songs, but on the first record Campbell really shined on the guitar, and I think that was part of the selling point back in the day.  The new CD has Vivian more subdued and subtle, with some songs not including solos.  That was disappointing, but I digress.  Campbell has really taken this route since joining Def Leppard, so I wasn't too surprised. 

Thank goodness the songs are so strong on this record, because you almost don't even miss the ripping.  Rob Lamothe and Co. have crafted some classic melodic songs that will stick with you and keep you singing them for days.  Songs like the title track and Best Day of My Life are instant classics.  The songs are hook layden and just plain rock.  My only critique, was that the CD was too short, which kept me craving more.

Bottom Line: Solid hard rock with a bluesy edge.  Great songs that will sit with you.  A welcome return by a highly underrated band.

Standout Tracks: Best Day of My Life, World Gone Mad, Big Steel Town and This Empty Room.

-Ragman can only hope that these guys will continue putting out music.

House of Lords - Big Money

You gotta hand to to James Christian, because he has kept House of Lords running on and off for over almost 20 years  James took the reins in 2000, when the band reformed and has really taken control ever since.  James is the only original member left, but that has not tarnished the name whatsoever, because the band has continually put out solid music.   Since their reunion, the band has put out 5 studio albums, with their latest entitiled Big Money.  HOL records are pretty much hit or miss since their reunion, but for the most part, they have been hits.  The last few records Come to My Kingdom and Cartesian Dreams, were very solid and basically put the band back on the AOR/Hard Rock map.  Big Money marks the band's 8th studio recording.

Big Money is a throw back to the late 80's early 90's, but without some of the punch.  The CD is not band and there are some standout tracks, but unfortunately there are a fair share of duds included as well.  Unlike the two previous releases, not every track is solid.  The songs on Big Money have a late 80's early 90's feel, but that is about it.  About half of the songs on the record seem dated and are just not strong enough to grab you by the yin yang. Don't get me wrong, there are some strong tracks like Hologram and One Man Down, that will kick your ass, but it's the mediocre tunes that bring this relase down for me.  It is unfortunate because I'm a really big fan, but for some reason or another, this one just didn't grab me.

Bottom Line: HOL going though the motions on this one.  The vocals are strongs, the ripping is superb, but the songs, for the most part are just average.

Standout Tracks: Hologram, One Man Down, Blood and Someday When.

-Ragman was is pain writing this one, because it hurt.

Charred Walls of the Damned - Cold Winds on Timeless Days

I was pretty excited when I heard that Charred Wall of the Damned was releasing their sophomore effort Cold Winds on Timeless Days on Metal Blade Records.  I was a big fan of their self titled debut, so when this one was released I ran right to the CD player to put it in.  The record starts off a little slow with the track Timesless Days which almost has an Aerosmithish intro ala Dream On, before kicking in.  This record picks up where the last one left off, but with a little less gusto.  It took me until the 3rd track Zerospan before I started really digging my teeth into this one.  This CD is a little more of the same, but on a high note, it does dive into more of a power metal vibe than the first one, which pleased me.

The songs are well written for the most part, but in some instances, certain tunes began to drone on, which started to loose me.  I found that this occurred primarily at the beginning of the disk, with the exception of Zerospan.  The latter part of the disk definitely contains the stronger material.  The songs are classic power metal with some thrash thrown in for good measure.  There is a nice variety on the record, which kept the CD interesting, but it was the songs that lacked substance, that took away from the overall product.  It was refreshing to see that Richard Christie (Ex-Death, Iced Earth) re-assembled the line up form the first record, to record this second opus.  All in all, not a bad record, but not a great one either.

Bottom Line: Charred Walls suffering from a bit of the sophomore jinks.  There are some exciting things happening on this record, but just not enough of them.  Had this one trimmed some of the fat, it could have been a contender for CD of the year.

Standout Tracks: Zerospan, The Beast Outside My Window, Bloodworm and Admire the Heroes

-Ragman wonders how Richard faired on Halloween.