On CD: The HeroinDiaries by Sixx:A.M.

In the early days when I first took up the drums it was the early to mid 1980's. At that time the big rock bands to know were Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Motley Crue. Being a start off drummer, I took to the Crue due to the cool rockin' tunes and the relative ease I had grasping the drum lines. As a result, I took on a certain fondness for this band and the characters of whom it was comprised. Without a doubt, the member who left the greatest impression was bassist Nikki Sixx. Even back then I remember hearing tales about how Nikki had died, but the rumors were clearly exaggerated.

Or were they?

Nikki remained a fixture on the rock scene, so it wasn't a surprise when details of the infamous night came out. Nikki had overdosed on heroine, died, was revived then overdosed AGAIN! Only heroine seems to inspire such dedication to a self-destructive lifestyle.

What does a good musician do after such an event? Grow from it, write a book, and set it all to music. That, finally, brings me to the record Heroin Diaries by Nikki's current project Sixx:A.M. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy to evaluate, and I will walk you through it.

First, he's your track list:

1. X-Mas

2. Van Nuys
3. Life Is Beautiful
4. Pray For Me
5. Tomorrow
6. Accidents Can Happen
7. Intermission
8. Dead Man's Ballet
9. Heart Failure
10. Girl With Golden Eyes
11. Courtesy Call
12. Permission
13. Life After Death

I never get into anything with expectations. No matter what the expectations will be, you will be disappointed. So with a clear mind I pressed play on the CD player. The record starts off with some narration to set the pace of what this is all about. Perfect. I expected nothing of the sort, but it puts you in the frightening mindset of Nikki on X-mas Day and in the grips of the drug. You won't hear that again until the Intermission. Seriously! track seven is called Intermission!

The single for the record is track three, Life is Beautiful. When you first hear it, you'll know why, it kicks in, and kicks your ass and rocks out. I'm not saying that you won't hear a ton of more rockin' greatness. This is an entire record of ambitious, well produced rock and roll that keeps your blood pumping and loving and enjoying and embracing every note. If Nikki was trying to relay the way the addiction consumed his soul through music, I'd say he did an EXQUISITE job. The music grabs you, and pulls you through ups and downs, highs and lows. like the soundtrack for some epic. Hell, THIS IS the soundtrack for the epic which was Nikki's triumph over booze and drugs.

In my early days of being a musician I loved Crue because they were relatively simple musically. Time has passed, we've all matured, which is evident in this record. There's so much passion, heart and soul, like no other creation in Nikki's past, is all in this perfectly polished album.

If you were thinking about getting it, just get it. You will not be disappointed.