by Grace Kindred
– Columnist —
Hailing from Los Angeles, hard rockin’ Sixx:A.M. comprises James Michael, lead vocals; DJ Ashba, lead guitar; Nikki Sixx, bass; and Dustin Steinke on drums. The band began its journey in 2007 when it released its first studio album The Heroin Diaries: Soundtrack. Since then, Sixx:A.M has released three other albums, This Is Gonna Hurt in 2011, Modern Vintage in 2014 and, most recently, Prayers For The Damned, which was released April 29.
The Prayers For The Damned album isn’t laden with lullabies as the title may suggest. The music and lyrics are a memoir of Nikki Sixx’s fight with his own personal demons. This sets the dark and gloomy tone, but the album is full of pumped-up energy, aimed at stopping the demons that roam around in Sixx’s mind.
The first song on the album, “Rise,” is a hard-hitting track that sets the album’s attitude with lyrics such as, “Rise, get yourself together, rise …,” which mean that there is hope if you just get up and rise. As the album progresses, some songs like “When We Were Gods” is very subtle in the beginning, and then throws up the Rock horns in a very aggressive style that is meant to begin head-banging.
Other tracks such as “Can’t Stop,” offers arrangements in such a way that the band wants you to remember the hooks. Sixx:A.M. has proven that sensitive topics can delivered in a powerful way. Michael’s vocals have a wide range throughout the album and are very distinctive. From soft to soaring, the album strikes a fine balance between instruments and the vocals. Hearing the mix of vocals, guitars, bass and drums offers a nearly perfect sound. Sixx:A.M. proves that it is possible to stay consistent throughout the years. Prayers For The Damned has set the bar high for the release of the second album, Prayer For The Damned Volume 2, which will be released sometime later this year.
Genre: Hard Rock, Alternative Metal
Band:
James Michael (vocals)
DJ Ashba on lead (guitar)
Nikki Sixx on (bass)
Dustin Steinke (drum)
Track Listing:
1. Rise
2. You Have To Come To The Right Place
3. I’m Sick
4. Prayers For The Damned
5. Better Man
6. Can’t Stop
7. When We Were Gods
8. Belly of The Beasts
9. Everything Went To Hell
10. The Last Time (My Heart Will Ever Hit The Ground)
11. Rise Of The Melancholy Empire
Label: Eleven Seven Music
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5/10
