{"id":25215,"date":"2013-01-19T11:07:17","date_gmt":"2013-01-19T16:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=25215"},"modified":"2014-02-16T09:10:16","modified_gmt":"2014-02-16T14:10:16","slug":"adler-back-from-the-dead-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2013\/adler-back-from-the-dead-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Adler | Back From the Dead<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by John Kindred<\/span>
\n– Publisher —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"AdlerSteven Adler has been battling demons for quite some time, from his brief time in Guns N\u2019 Roses to his more recent appearance on Dr. Drew\u2019s \u201cCelebrity Rehab.\u201d Over the years, drugs have taken their toll but never completely dampened Adler\u2019s passion for music. Slash moved on with his own projects, Axl took Guns N\u2019 Roses off to another planet, Duff continued on with Slash and his own projects and Izzy released some solo records but eventually faded from the fold. Despite Adler\u2019s struggle with his demons, he carried on in Adler\u2019s Appetite. The band kept Adler in the news, but the band was basically a Guns N\u2019 Roses cover band. At some point though, Steven Adler had to get out from behind the legacy of Appetite for Destruction<\/em> and become his own man, doing things his way and on his own terms. <\/p>\n

Adler\u2019s resilience to keep on fighting and to be relevant in the industry has led him to release his first full-length album since he recorded Appetite for Destruction<\/em> with Guns N\u2019 Roses in 1987. Flying under the moniker Adler, he has joined forces with vocalist and guitarist Jacob Bunton, guitarist Lonny Paul and bassist Johnny Martin. The band\u2019s debut album titled Back From the Dead<\/em> features Jeff Pilson of Dokken fame sharing the duties as producer with Adler, and the album was mixed by Jay Ruston.<\/p>\n

Back From the Dead<\/em> features 11 songs, all polished melodic hard rock tunes that are rampant with hooks that are reminiscent of \u201880s arena-rock bands, with touches of modern metal. All the songs are semi-autobiographical, and they lyrically seem to focus on Adler – the man and his struggles. The majority of the album was written by Bunton and Paul, with Pilson co-writing two songs. While Adler never was a writer per se, he lends his ear as the band\u2019s personal A&R guy to hand pick the best songs for the band\u2019s debut release.<\/p>\n

Speaking of Bunton, who some may know as the lead singer of Lynam, Adler couldn\u2019t have picked a better voice and front man for the group. His voice is perfectly suited for the melodic anthems that comprise Back From the Dead<\/em>. Paul and Bunton deliver crunchy rhythm guitars and confident solos. While Martin is listed as the band bassist, Jeff Pilson actually handled those duties in the studio, as well as providing backing guitar, keys and vocal tracks. Former band-mate and friend, Slash, makes an appearance on the song \u201cJust Don\u2019t Ask,\u201d providing the guitar solo. Other special guests include John 5, who plays lead guitar for \u201cGood to Be Bad\u201d and Michael Lord on piano for \u201cWaterfall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any comparisons to Guns N\u2019 Roses are unwarranted and unjustified. Adler\u2019s band sounds nothing like his former group. That\u2019s a good thing; we don\u2019t need another copycat band in that vein of music. Adler gives the listener fist-pumping anthems that don\u2019t take themselves too seriously, yet delivers crafty well-written songs and brilliant production, making the album sound huge and full of life. Of the 11 songs on the disc, there are no filler tracks. The musicianship and vocals are superb. Adler and his crew have struck gold.<\/p>\n

Genre: Melodic Hard Rock<\/p>\n

Band:
\nJacob Bunton – vocals, guitar, mandolin and piano
\nLonny Paul – guitar and vocals
\nJohnny Martin – bass and vocals
\nSteven Adler – drums and percussion<\/p>\n

Additional Musicians:
\nSlash – lead guitar (6)
\nJohn 5 – lead guitar (5)
\nJeff Pilson – bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals
\nMichael Lord – piano (8)<\/p>\n

Track List:
\n01. Back From The Dead
\n02. Own Worst Enemy
\n03. Another Version Of The Truth
\n04. The One That You Hated
\n05. Good To Be Bad
\n06. Just Don’t Ask
\n07. Blown Away
\n08. Waterfall
\n09. Habit
\n10. Your Diamonds
\n11. Dead Wrong<\/p>\n

Label: New Ocean Media<\/p>\n

Web: http:\/\/adlerrocks.blogspot.com\/<\/a> – https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/adlermusic<\/a> <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 9\/10<\/p>\n

Listen to Hardrock Haven’s interview with Jacob Bunton, vocalist for Adler here<\/a>.<\/p>\n