CD-Review – Brian Head Welch – Save me from Myself
A CD-Review
By Michael Cross
Artist: Brian “Head” Welch
CD Title: Save Me from Myself
Style: Metal/Rock
Website: www.brianheadwelch.net or www.myspace.com/brianheadwelch
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Playlist:
1. L.O.V.E.
2. Flush
3. Loyalty
4. Re-bel
5. Home
6. Save Me from Myself
7. Die Religion Die
8. Adonai
9. Money
10. Shake
11. Washed by Blood
This is the long awaited solo release from Brian “Head” Welch, the former lead guitarist for Korn. After finding Christ in 2005, many people were wondering if he’d given up music altogether, or simply set it aside for awhile. This CD is the ultimate answer to that question. “Save Me from Myself” comes across hard and heavy. And would we expect anything less from the premier guitarist of one of metal’s hardest rocking bands?
“Head”s offering of intense guitar work, solid bass lines and thundering percussion are only a single layer to this amazing release. There’s a great deal of keyboard, string and vocal arrangements that give this CD more depth than most metal bands achieve. From the opening keystrokes on “L.O.V.E.“, through the entire CD, there is a haunting feel underneath the heaviness of the music. The lyrics are intense, and at times brutal – if not brutally honest. Many of them are unsettling, like those on “Flush“, explaining the misery and futility of spending one’s life wasted “Life is boring/same old story/get drunk, throw up/sleep all day“. Likewise, there is a darkness to the song “Loyalty” which is only amplified by the disturbing, intermittent wails of a baby-doll’s cries, while emphasizing the lack of commitment that seems to permeate our culture. Now, perhaps it’s just me, but the use of children’s vocals for the verses on “Re-bel“, a song lamenting child abuse and neglect, is sheer genius.
Welch makes a strong and serious point with this CD. His faith comes across loud and clear. From his cries out to God in the title track, to his indictment of organized religion with “Die Religion Die“, he is making sure to present his audience with the only hope we have for real life; faith in Jesus Christ. This theme is carried over in “Adonai” as he exhorts his listeners to “Make your escape from life with Adonai/Everything in life depends on Adonai/Lift all your worries up to Adonai/You are lost and hurting come to Adonai.“. There’s also a painful reminder of the consequences of making idols in our lives in the song “Money“, and a warning of the judgment to come from such selfishness with “Shake“. Yet, we’re left with hope, that glorious hope that we have in Christ, which is the central message of “Save Me from Myself“. The final track, “Washed by Blood“, is heartfelt, and emotionally charged with a stirring message of Christ’s desire to rescue us from our pain, “You’re washed by blood/From deep inside/Not a prisoner of your old life/Washed by blood/A brand new start/ It’s time that I reveal your heart.“.
I love the fact that “Head” seems to have his scriptural theology down pat. There’s nothing simplistic, nor religiously overbearing, in the lyrical content of this release. He’s straight forward and to the point. My only let down from this CD? I’d have to say that there are way too many “change-ups”. Nearly every song has a brief interlude that takes the song away from it’s initial melody. It’s somewhat distracting at times, but at least I can’t say that all of the songs sound the same. And that’s always a good thing!
I really like this CD, a lot! Great music, bold lyrics, incredible message, what more could an old school metal head ask for? I have to go with a 4.5 for this one. Definitely one of my new favorites, getting regular play on my media player. Destined to be one of those CD’s that every Christian rocker has in their collection.
