Sebastian Bach and Friends--Bring 'Em Bach Alive! (1998/Atlantic)
Rating--8.6
Rock 'N' Roll--RealAudio Youth Gone Wild (live)--RealAudio
Behold all-- the live Skid Row album that we never got! Ok... so technically that isn't the case, but you'd never know the difference from listening to this smoking opus. What you
have is five new tracks, then a host of live Skid tunes. To add more spice to the fire, Sebastian hasn't lost anything from his scalding '80s voice-- a distinction that few of the great screamers can claim.
The sharp music of the new studio tracks is a splendid mix of 'Slave' and 'Subhuman'-era Skids, and the live tunes crackle with vitality. In all, a strong release, and sure to please all fans of old.
Let's cover the new tracks first. "Rock 'N' Roll" opens up the disc in excellent energy and fashion. Seb sings "over" himself in ripping Halford/Scheepers style, and a great mid-groove serves as a
bonus. The nasty and crunching "Done Bleeding" follows up, and the nasty attitude of "Counterpunch" reeks of 'Subhuman' tunage. The lighter feel of "Superjerk, Superstar, Supertears" is ok fare, but
the rockers shine the brightest.
All of the live tracks are performed in fine fashion, with tracks such as "Frozen" and "18 & Life" making early marks. A smooth, acoustic-to-electric version of
"I Remember You" is a treat, and the Japanese crowd sings along-- as expected!
A mid-shift in the middle of "Monkey Business" cranks into Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla," and the ripping and electric
end song "Youth Gone Wild" is every bit as tantalizing as it was a decade ago...
Once again, this is basically the "missing Skid Row album". Originally only
available overseas, Spitfire Records has made it available everywhere. Go get it, metal children of the '80s...
TRACK LIST: Rock 'N' Roll/Done Bleeding/Superjerk, Superstar, Supertears/Blasphemer/Counterpunch/Slave to the Grind/Frozen/18 & Life/Beat Yourself Blind/Riot Act/Mudkicker/In a Darkened Room/
Monkey Business (Godzilla)/The Most Powerful Man in the World/I Remember You/Youth Gone Wild
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