JASON BIELER (Saigon Kick) And The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra – Songs For The Apocalypse (2021) *EXCLUSIVE*

Here we have in world-wide exclusive JASON BIELER (Saigon Kick) new album “Songs For The Apocalypse” to be released by Frontiers Music, featuring an impressive list of special guests like Jeff Scott Soto, Bumblefoot, Todd LaTorre (Queensryche), Dave Ellefson (Megadeth), Devin Townsend, Pat Badger (Extreme), and more.
Bieler is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer who is also known for playing with hard rockers SAIGON KICK, which achieved a platinum single in the US with the timeless hit “Love Is On The Way” from its gold-selling album “The Lizard”, which Jason also produced.
Bieler also played in an early touring version of TALISMAN with Marcel Jacob and Jeff Scott Soto, as well as SUPER TRANSATLANTIC, with EXTREME bassist Pat Badger, earning them a gold record for their work on the soundtrack for the “American Pie” movie.

SAIGON KICK where known, among other things, for their awesome vocal harmonies. This Bieler‘s sophomore solo effort carries that particular legacy quite magnificently – ”Songs For The Apocalypse” is plenty of vocal layers – throw in a good pinch of the best practices of vintage hard rock, a hint of proggy flavors, and a bit of classic rock’n’roll – and there you have it: ”Songs For The Apocalypse.”

The instrumental intro track, ”Never Ending Cycle” guides us to Bieler‘s hard rock realms with cinematic soundscapes that evolve slowly and nicely, resonating with a somewhat similar vibe to some of those vintage QUEENSRŸCHE songs.
In fact, the drumming on the next track, entitled ”Apology,” is provided by the QUEENSRŸCHE vocalist Todd LaTorre. The song, however, nods a bit more deeply towards EXTREME with its cool pop hooks and tight guitar riffs.

Oh, EXTREME bassist Pat Badger features, in turn, on the tracks ”Stones Will Fly” and ”My Only Hope,” on which he undoubtedly feels at home. In fact, the album credits read like a hard-rock/metal family meeting.
The album features A-list musicians such as Dave Ellefson (MEGADETH), Devin Townsend, Butch Walker (ex-MARVELOUS 3), Bumblefoot (SONS OF APOLLO), Clint Lowery (SEVENDUST), Benji Webbe (SKINDRED), and Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH).

With a little help from a bunch of musician friends like these, it’s no wonder that the album delivers; it is consistently brilliant from start to finish. Still, a few tracks stand out for being particularly awesome.

”Bring Out Your Dead” steamrolls forward not only with the aid of a killer guitar riff but with a genuine singalong chorus, proving to be every inch the true heir to those massive 1980s hard-rock anthems. Bieler steps onto the home turf of BON JOVI and scores beautifully. Devin Townsend guests with a great solo.
Jeff Scott Soto is the driving guide for the trippy melodic ”Alone In The World”. It’s melodic yet pretty crazy pop-progressive. Very interesting stuff.

”Annalise” is probably my favorite track on the album for its eerily haunting drive provided by those relentless guitar arpeggios. Actually, the following track, ”Down In A Hole” keeps up the momentum quite nicely – so, who am I kidding? The album is simply pure gold with no tracks to skip.

Even the slightly absurd, instrumental interlude, ”Horror Wobbles The Hippo” sounds cool with its jazzy twists and turns. The additional guitar doodlings and ominous soundscapes are provided by guitarist Emil Werstler.
Then, being a long-time fan of SKINDRED‘s crossover craziness, I cannot help but fall in love with the album track, ”Beyond Hope,” which features Webbe‘s trademark ragga-metal vocals. With each new listen, I find new things to like about the album: prestige riffs, the rocking bass of David Ellefson, vocal hooks, proggy U-turns in the best DREAM THEATER fashion, and Bumblefoot adds a swirling solo.

”Songs For The Apocalypse” is a really good collection of hard rock flamboyance, tales of fantasy and imagination not told in plain language but adorned with every kind of extravagant embellishment and sonic curliance – a fine soundtrack for the end of days, that is.
Highly Recommended

Only at 0dayrox

01 – Never Ending Circle
02 – Apology
03 – Bring Out Your Dead (feat. Devin Townsend, Dave Ellefson)
04 – Annalise
05 – Stones Will Fly (feat. Butch Walker, Pat Badger)
06 – Down In A Hole
07 – Anthem For The Losers
08 – Horror Wobbles The Hippo
09 – Beyond Hope (feat. Bumblefoot, Dave Ellefson)
10 – Crab Claw Dan
11 – Born Of The Sun
12 – Baby Driver (feat. Clint Lowery)
13 – Alone In The World (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
14 – Very Fine People
15 – FKSWYSO

All instruments and vocals by Jason Bieler unless listed otherwise below:

Apology
Drums: Todd LaTorre
Bass: Kevin Scott
Solos: Andee Blacksugar

Bring Out Your Dead
Drums: Edu Cominato
Bass: David Ellefson
Solo: Devin Townsend

Annalise:
Bass: Kevin Scott

Stones Will Fly, My Only Hope:
Drums: Ricky Sanders
Bass: Pat Badger
Solo and extra guitars: Butch Walker

Down In A Hole:
Drums: Edu Cominato
Bass: Kyle Sanders
Extra Guitars: Stephen Gibb

Anthem For Losers
Drums: Ricky Sanders
Bass, Piano, Guitar Twanging: Clay Cook

Horror Wobbles The Hippo:
Extra guitars solos and soundscapes: Emil Werstler

Beyond Hope
Guest Vocals: Benji Webbe
Drums: Ricky Sanders
Bass: David Ellefson
Solo: Bumblefoot

Born Of The Sun:
Drums: Edu Cominato
Bass: Kyle Sanders
Solo: Clint Lowery

Alone In The World:
Drums: Ricky Sanders
Guest Vocals: Jeff Scott Soto

Pre Order:
www.amazon.com/Songs-Apocalypse-Bieler-Bielski-Orchestra/dp/B08LFMTWBH