Review Summary: A solid performance that stands up to their debut pretty well, and at times, surpasses it.
Prayers For The Damned is Sixx:A.M's fourth studio album and their first good album since their debut. While Heroin Diaries Soundtrack is universally known as the measuring stick for the band, this album does not disappoint. As a matter of fact, this album could be better than Heroin Diaries Soundtrack. Even if it's filler songs like "I'm Sick" or repetitive content like "Can't Stop", Prayers For The Damned finds a balance in the intensity of the songs, without sounding choppy or forced.
Sixx: A.M is:
James Michael- Vocals
DJ Ashba - Lead Guitar
Nikki Sixx - Bass
Dustin Steinke - Drums
Prayers For The Damned primarily consists of Christian songs, with concepts like getting yourself together, going to heaven to become a "Better Man", among others. It steers the band in a much better direction than their previous albums with more exciting riffs and dynamic vocals. It's a raw and passionate performance that will surly grab the attention of mainstream rockers worldwide.
"Rise" is an album opener that blows the doors off of anything on Modern Vintage. DJ Ashba and Nikki Sixx take the spotlight with their heavy riffs and raw solos. "You Have Come To The Right Place" has a little faster pace as well as more exciting riffs, but in a way, it sounds a lot like Shinedown's Diamond Eyes. At this point, Sixx:A.M decided to speed the album up with I'm Sick, which without a doubt deserves the "filler song" stamp. It's not bad, but there's really no reason for it to be here.
From there, it's a musical masterpiece. There's no more filler songs, it's all business. This is where the Christian element of this album truly kicks in. Songs like "Prayers For The Damned" "Better Man" and "Everything Went To Hell" all are tightly crafted songs that many people can relate to. "Better Man" is the best example. The song clearly discusses "going to heaven to become a better man" and second chances, which plays the biggest role in the Christian religion.
The biggest problem here though is "Belly Of The Beast". A good song, for what it is. But by the time it's through, your left with confusion. What sound did they try to go for? What were they trying to say? Was it supposed to be like rap? Mainstream? Perhaps we'll never know.
All in all, this a very promising album. Prayers Of The Damned will surly lure in fans all over the globe. The question is, what can they provide with Prayers For The Damned (Vol 2.)?
