BABYLON A.D. - 'American Blitzkrieg'
                                                                                                                                        Released in July 4, 2000, on Apocalypse Records
THE BAND:
Derek Davis -vocals                                               
Danny De La Rosa -guitars                                      
Ron Freschi -guitars/vocals
Eric Pacheco -bass/vocals
James Pacheco -drums/vocals

TRACK FRAGMENTS:
1.) "American Blitzkrieg" - This opening track is also the title track of the CD, for those of you who have not figured that out yet. Lyrically this song is very political and war-like. The arrangement is a little different than what I am use to from Babylon A.D. but the new arrangement gradually grows on you. After the first chorus the band breaks into the classic R&B song "War" by The Temptations. I completely was not expecting this. What a great cover!! They finish the song off with the final chorus of "American Blitzkrieg"
2.)."Mother Mary" - This track opens with a real heavy intro. In the background of the intro you can hear the sound of laughter after sucking up a bunch of helium. There is a rhythm change right after this. During the pre-verse there is a small duet, where the lead vocal lines are overdubbed with a booming bass vocal -- (great effect!). The verse is standard Babylon. The second verse is set up the same way. The lyrics have a lot of hooks and are very easy to sing and remember.
3.) "I Wanna Live" - I loved the drum rhythm of this track, very laid back and grooving. Lyrically this is a well-put together song. There is a small break down section after the second chorus that has a heavy bass line and a small blues lead scale on guitar that fits the song well.
4.) "Sink In The Sand"- The opening lead guitar pattern on this track was awesome. The song is very melodic in a heavy way. The solo is short but very intense.
5.) "The Sky Is Falling" - Typical Babylon A.D. ballad, I would not have expected anything less. The first thing I noticed was the two different rhythm guitar patterns, coming out of each speaker. The lyrics where amazing, Futuristic Romeo and Juliet. This ranks up there with "Desperate" and "So Savage The Heart".
6.)"The Unreal" - This track is real modern metal sounding with heavy drums and guitar rhythms. This would make a great song in a movie. It has that horror feel to it.
7.) "One Way Ride" - This track opens with a standard metal intro. It also is another one that has well put together lyrics. At times you can hear accents of an acoustic guitar which always adds a nice effect.
8.) "Glyde" - This track has a sleazy nasty feel to it. The lyrics and lyric arrangement blew me away! This is a well-written song. The solo is very laid back and fits well with the song.
9.) "Superstar" - The intro sounds like an abstract version of "American Woman". Another well put together track with huge guitars and great lyric arrangement.

       Babylon A.D. has returned, and this is the first CD of original material in several years. Babylon A.D is one of those groups from the 80's that some how got over looked and never acquired the respect for their musicianship from the industry. But unlike a lot of groups they stayed true to their roots and rode out the storm.
      In closing this review all I can say is buy this CD. There is not one bad song on the thing. It is defiantly some of the best material Babylon A.D. has ever recorded. I can't wait to hear this stuff performed live.