If hair metal is wrong, then we don’t want to be right

Sebastian Bach has continuously impressed fans with his undeniable talent, Skid Row presenting listeners with only a fraction of his talent. And he’s got a brand new album, Child Within The Man, that doesn’t cater to any specific listening style, although a love of aggressive music puts listeners at an advantage. It’s edgy, moody, and effortlessly designed to infuse hair metal vibes with a modern twist that is still undeniably Bach. 

While listening to Child Within The Man, it’s easy to get lost in a time and place where skin-tight leather was all the rage, Bach bringing the ‘80s back with unabashed skillfulness. As such, the entire album is filled with explosive guitar riffs and vocals that effortlessly tackle a jaw-dropping falsetto. 

“Freedom” is a perfect example of Bach demanding attention from the onset. The track offers up a dynamic sound with plenty of melody and a beat that’s equal parts frenzied and melodic. It’s hectic. It’s chaotic. It has a swoon-worthy guitar solo that would probably make playing air guitar cool again. And the album is just getting started. 

“(Hold On) To The Dream” starts out as a power ballad, giving off “Bad Company” vibes all around, but without hesitation, transitions to something guaranteed to have listeners craving for more. Bach is not only a storyteller, but his remarkable vocals make the entire track — natch, album — that much more invigorating. From tight (and that’s putting it lightly) power chords to vocals that transcend a truly staggering range of octaves, there is nothing Bach can’t achieve with this opus. It feels more like a rock opera, Bach the puppeteer and in complete control of this album’s narrative. It’s entertaining without trying too hard, all the while showcasing an unstoppable talent. 

“Future of Youth” is punchy from the jump, hard vocals mirrored by an equally rough — but highly enjoyable — guitar playing, the entire song fast-paced and energetic. Like the rest of the album, words don’t quite sum up the power behind “Future of Youth,” the music erratic at times and even demonstrating a bit of eccentricity, the chaotic combination of operatic vibratos and falsettos in perfect sync with each wild melody. In short, Child Within The Man has universal appeal. It’s uninhibited, artfully crafted music intertwined with the sounds of the ‘80s, creating something that only Sebastian Bach could effortlessly produce time and time again. And we can’t wait to see what he’ll put out next.