Thinking back four years ago to the debut release from SIXX A.M “The Heroin Diaries” and having named it my best release of 2007, I was thinking will there ever be another release by Nikki Sixx and the boys. Well it’s time and we have it as “This Is Gonna Hurt” is here but can it measure up to that explosive debut? I’ve been listening to “This Is Gonna Hurt” for some time and it’s for sure another great release as with “The Heroin Diaries”.

The disc starts off with the title track “This Is Gonna Hurt”, which is filled with hooks and melodies that oozes greatness as it should with these seasoned veterans. Love the crunching guitar work of DJ Ashba and Mr. James Michael is again sensational on vocals. And what more can you say about SIXX that hasn’t been mentioned before?

“Lies of the Beautiful People” is another exciting song and is the first single/video off the disc. Song after song on this record has a special feel and will bring joy to many, just check out “Are You With Me” as it has a soft side but once the chorus hits explosions take over. “Live Forever” blows me away and DJ Ashba is impressive on this track. I hope he doesn’t even think of moving off his proverbial guitar pedestal because he just goes off on this one (as with many others on the release).

When I first listened to the new disc “This Is Gonna Hurt” my first thoughts were that it wasn’t as good as “The Heroin Diaries” but having a chance to really delve into it and listen hard to each track it’s simply put another phenomenal release.

“Sure Feels Right” slows things down with soft ballad that has a southern feel. James Michael is an amazing vocalist and just the way he takes control of the lyrics is pure gold. SIXX AM explore life once again with lyrics and dreams as they mix compelling music with thought-provoking lyrics. Excellent tracks such as “Deadlihood” are a prime example of that. The track “Smile” could have been added to their debut release as it would have been a perfect fit. It’s a soft sensitive track that has an uplifting feel and Ashba soars with some killer melodic riffs.

“Oh My God” has a great U2 feel and with a spiritual sense “SIXX AM” takes yet another track to bigger heights. You gotta check the lyrics out; it’s chilling (its called reality!).

Just listening to the music on “Goodbye My Friends” I feel despair and doom. It’s a fast-paced song with slicing bass lines and some unusual guitar work. The music feels like it’s in a panic to get somewhere; cool song.

Ending the disc is a tear-jerker ballad about how people judge a person without really knowing them. The song is titled “Skin” and it has so many truths because no matter what people say they really don’t know a person and if there is a God he is the only one that knows a person.

“This Is Gonna Hurt” is a musical and lyrical dream so just don’t listen to the music alone, listen to the lyrics too. You’ll laugh, cry, dream but be true to yourself and be the person that others wish they could be.