Brian "Head" Welch, who is formerly of the band Korn, is at it once again, but this time, with a band. After he departed from the band in 2005, he wrote a book titled Save Me From Myself that released in July of 2007. During the writing of the book, Welch was also writing and recording his debut solo album. The album was also titled Save Me From Myself. It was basically his book, in music, and without explicit language. In 2010, Welch released a new single from his upcoming second solo project, titled Paralyzed. The full album never released and a year later, he announced that his band will now be branded under the name Love and Death. About a year and a half after the announcement, the band released their debut single and EP Chemicals. The EP included 5 tracks (2 original songs, a cover, and 2 remixes). The band then promised a new album by 2013. They are here with their debut album, which is set to release January 22nd.
"The Abandoning," the album's first single, starts out with Welch yelling "Wake up sleepy, Wide awake!" In the opening track, Welch talks about when he was in Korn and all the drugs he did. He felt like not only is he abandoning himself, so is everyone, including God. By the end of the song, he is wide awake for God and His commands. The second track, a cover of Devo's "Whip It," I really can't go into much detail about, because it is a cover of a 1980's pop song. Basically, there are less lyrics than the original version and it is metal.
"Watching The Bottom Fall" is one of the hardest tracks to review on the album. It's hard to interpret, but I think in the song, Welch is talking from two different people's point of view. Although they both commit the same crimes, he can't go through with it anymore and leaves the other. It's also one of my favorites on the album. "By The Way," the album's 4th track, I think, talks about his ex-wife. He loved her, but she was influencing their daughter in such a negative way, so he had to leave her, so him and his daughter could live safely. He says he misses her everyday, and hopes to see her in Heaven in the future.
"Meltdown" is my number one favorite song the album. I love the guitars it has in it. But, like most of the songs Welch writes, its about his addiction to drugs and alcohol. In the song, he has overdosed and feels like he is about to die, and cries out to God to save him and to not to keep. In "My Disaster," Welch feels like God is ignoring him and letting him suffer. He's crying out and asking how God can watch him suffer, when he is the leader of the universe. It's also the song on the album that sounds most like Welch's former band, Korn's, old material.
"I W8 4 U" is the 7th track on the album, and features screams from For Today's lead vocalist, Mattie Montgomery. It's a song that is actually from God's perspective on humans. He will wait for them till the end of the earth and always will. He loves us all and has a different relationship with each and everyone of His children. Christianity is becoming less and less popular in today's world and that's exactly what "Fading Away" talks about. The human race is fading away, so we need to repent to God, or be done. We are His children and need to come to that realization sooner better than later.
"Paralyzed" is included on the album and went to #1 on the iTunes rock chart when it was released back in 2010 and branded under his solo project. It's a song about being so overdosed in drugs that you feel like you can't get back. He cries out to God to save him and get him out. "Chemicals," the third previously recorded song to be featured on the April 2012 EP of the same name. It's a song that talks about being so buried in drugs or depression that it feels like chemicals are clouding your mind. He knows deep inside that he isn't a criminal and hates the chemicals and wants to get out. The final track on the album is "Bruises." Welch said in an interview with Billboard that is it partly inspired by Christians not believing in rock music being combined with Christianity.
I, for one, think this is an amazing album! Both hard rock and metal fans alike will love this album and it is a must buy. Welch has been making music for about 20 years, and ever since his debut solo album released back in 2008, he hasn't ceased to please! If you are a fan of rock music, I highly suggest picking this album up, because you WILL NOT be disappointed.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Purchase Links (not available until January 22nd): iTunes, Amazon MP3
Top 3 songs: "Chemicals", "I W8 4 U", "Meltdown"
For fans of: R3D, Korn, Hollywood Undead
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