Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

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Band
Sebastian Bach
Title
Kicking & Screaming
Type
LP/EP
Company
Frontiers
YOR
2011
Style
Hard Rock
12/1/2011 - Review by: Chris Kincaid

Sebastian Bach
Kicking & Screaming

Company: Frontiers Records
Release: 2011
Genre: Hard Rock
Reviewer: Chris Kincaid

  • Nothing addictive



  • The Great White North's shining Metal export proved he didn't need Skid Row when he put out his first studio album of original material titled "Angel Down" back in 2007. It showed Baz in fine form mixing melody with his famous glass shattering screams backed by Judas Priest like riffs.

    Fast forward to 2011 and it's a different story.

    I spent a hot, lazy, long weekend giving "Kicking & Screaming" my full attention. Everything else was gonna wait as I had been psyched to hear this release for months. Well, after 4 days of multiple play, there's nothing that sticks out in his latest offering except everything that made "Angel Down" killer has been thrown out in favor of a new direction.

    The good - Bach's chops haven't aged. He can still deliver vocally despite years of churning out performances on endless tours. His ability to keep your focus on him is what makes him a perfect frontman. Not to take anything away from the band. Nick Sterling who steps in on guitars and the returning Bobby Jarzombek on drums can hold their own.

    However, Nick is a different beast than Mike Chlasciak. Mike's tone was knee deep in heaviness and worked with Baz's mashing of melody and Godzilla like shrieks. Nicks guitar tone is grittier and heavy on riffs with swagger like the opener "Kicking And Screaming", "Dance On Your Grave" or "Dirty Power". Add to this out of all 13 tracks on display there's nothing addictive about any of them. You could hear them a million times and they'd still fade from memory. Even Bach with his sea of talent can't hold an album of lyrically lackluster material together.

    Switching focus to a melodic modern rock sound falls on the shoulders of Bob Marlette who takes over the producing duties from Roy Z. His resume includes working with the likes of Shinedown, Atreyu and Filter. Kudos for giving Baz's sound a polished/mainstream touch but it's at the expense of his 'heavier' forte. Bach's at his best when he combines the 2 worlds as heard on anything in the Skid Row collection. The style here is too rigid and reflects the above mentioned bands.

    Bottom line - Anyone expecting "Slave To The Grind" or "Angel Down 2" will be disappointed. The end result is geared to a rock radio friendly sound with less emphasis on a metal edge. If you're new to Bach's career check out his other albums mentioned to really experience his range of talent.


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      2.5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: SEBASTIAN BACH
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Angel Down
    2007
    Independent
    Kim Thore7/3/2008
    3.5
    Forever Wild
    2004
    Eagle Vision
    Ken Pierce8/16/2005
    -
    Kicking & Screaming
    2011
    Frontiers
    Chris Kincaid12/1/2011
    2.5

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: SEBASTIAN BACH
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
    Sebastian BachKim Thore10/25/2011


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