Artist: John 5
Title: The Art Of Malice
Type: Album
Label: Mascot Records

Ex Marilyn Manson guitarist, now rocking with Rob Zombie, John 5 has also released 4 solo albums and a remixed album. He has also been working with classic sludge rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd and is a staff writer for record company Chrysalis. Playing since the age of 7, it’s no wonder he’s a dab hand on the guitar. In 1996 John 5 (real name John William Lowery) auditioned for Marilyn Manson but turned up late, so the gig was given to Zim Zum. Fortunately for John 5, Zim Zum left soon after to work with Rob Halford and so John 5 got the gig eventually. Finally he joined Rob Zombie in 2005, he wrote eight out of the eleven tracks on the album ‘Educated Horses’ and now in 2010 John 5 has released his fifth solo album ‘The Art of Malice’.

I picked a rather large handful of tracks that seemed to stand out to me. The intro track ‘The Nightmare Unravels’ begins with some spooky riffs then a dirty, grindy riff with drumming to match, some technical bits, then some quite spiffing artsy guitar work over it which reminds me somehow of the intro bits to the ‘Sin City’ film. ‘The Art of Malice,’ a short yet satisfying track makes you feel as if you’re sitting in an old smoky club listening to some talented old crooner showing off his many years bluesy experience. ‘All Will or Spite’ is a bit of a rocking out track, again showing off John 5’s arty style, and again sounding like it could be on some sort of action film soundtrack. ‘Ya Dig?’ is a party cracker! Again with the rock n roll/ bluesy/Country feel but a bit more up-tempo this time. ‘Can I Live Again’ is one of my firm favourites, it’s calm, slow and relaxing and one of those tracks you could close your eyes to and just drift away. ‘Fractured Mirror,’ the Ace Frehley (KISS) cover is simply quite stunning!

Ok so not at all what I was expecting. I was thinking this album was going to be a Marilyn Manson karaoke type album. Boy was I wrong... John 5 is no doubt incredibly talented. All of the tracks on the album belong on some top film soundtracks! A lot of them gave me a good giggle, with the cheesy rock n roll bluesy tracks but in a good way. It would be nice to see John 5 do an album with guest artists singing on each track. But overall I do love this album.

http://www.john-5.com