★★★★
Sixx:A.M. have returned with their fifth album,Vol 2 Prayers For The Blessed, and it’s a riot of guitars, heavy drums and yell-along choruses from ex-Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx.
Sixx and co. prove they can produce a softer sound on album tracks ‘Maybe It’s Time’and their cover of the Badfinger hit ‘Without You’,which itself rose to fame after being covered by Harry Nilsson. It’s not Sixx:A.M.’s strongest, though, the cover carrying less weight than the other songs here.
That said, the energy evident across the bulk of the album is infectious, and even those who aren’t fans of the hard rock genre may find pleasure in listening – as long as the album is taken with a pinch of salt and you’re prepared for some hardcore air-guitaring.
With tinges of emo-core and prog rock on show, the listener is reminded of Coheed And Cambria at times, particularly in Sixx’s vocals. DJ Ashba and James Michael’s guitars are impressively heavy, particularly on the one-minute guitar solo that is ‘Catacombs’.
Prayers For The Blessed is not only good fun, it’s hard rock to the core. Crack out your leggings and start working on those head bangs.
Sixx:A.M.’sVol. 2 Prayers For The Blessedis available now throughEleven Seven.
