This could end up being the album of the year for Nikki and the boys. Sixx premier’s the new band SIXX: A.M. with DJ Ashba on guitar and James Michael on guitar/vocals as a soundtrack for the upcoming book “The Heroin Diaries” A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star (VH1/Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster). A portion of the proceeds from the book will go to Sixx's charity - Running Wild in the Night, a fundraising initiative for Covenant House California.

The opening narration is an amazing look in to the mind of a rockstar addicted to heroin (Nikki Sixx). It gives you chills when Nikki tells his life story, in a soft whisper with the music in the background starts getting louder during his narration. As melodic keyboards of “Van Nuys” sound, the direction of the lyrics takes its course… tears swell… how we could have lost the vision of Sixx as a superstar. The song is strong and the quality of music and lyrics are phenomenal. “Van Nuys” has you thinking how much pain Sixx must have been going through with his father not being part of his life, and the emotion James Michael lets loose makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

The first single “Life is Beautiful” another killer tune with hooks galore and DJ Ashba goes off the hook with pounding guitar licks. Again, the lyrics are reaching out; ‘…Alive! open your eyes and see “Life is Beautiful” and swear on your life no one will cry at my funeral…’ a message heard loud and clear. The lyrics hitting home trying to reach people by saying you don’t think about life until you go to a funeral, so open your eyes now before its too late. Fucking great tune!!!

James Michael shows the ability to capture the true essence and feelings that were surrounding Sixx during his drug-induced stage. Like any alcoholic or drug addict explained in the song “Tomorrow”;

‘…Look at yourself, do you like what you see, tomorrow you have to burn bridges you make today…’

SIXX: A.M. slow things down with “Accidents Can Happen” as Sixx slips back into injecting fluids, but has a friend by his side to help him back on his feet. DJ slams you with tantalizing searing ballad guitar chords as the rainbow is shining bright once again, because you fell one time and haven’t thrown everything away.

“Intermission” is a short narration with circus style music playing.

“Dead Mans Ballet” has Sixx talking with God pouring his heart out saying, ‘WHY me?’ Asking why it happened to him, he was the only child and a father that ignored him for half his life and he can’t even look at him. Having a church like chorus makes the song even more realistic.

If you didn’t totally listen to the lyrics your missing another fantastic barrage of words on “Girl with Golden Eyes,” you would think the song is about a woman, but no it’s all about the needle with a short narration about kicking the habit.

“Courtesy Call” is a visual movie painted by words, dialogue and music. When this song speaks to me I hear…, ‘Why did God not help me when I was down? You could have but didn’t.’ Well only, you can help yourself and I am giving you a “Courtesy Call” ‘letting you know you can pick yourself up and dust yourself off and get back on your feet.’ Even with the help of others, you never know what is inside a person; people feel trapped and can’t find a way out except for injecting drugs and move into another life. So the almighty might shock you and give you a “Courtesy Call.” There is no way to listen to this track without visualizing the scene that it describes.

In the vein of a metal saber dance Nikki explains, as an addict they think everything is about them, yeah he had a fucked up childhood… he was a troubled teen… now he accepts the path he was given and is turning the past in to gold by helping other through music and donation. If this CD can be an impact on others as it was on myself, This CD could change the life of all families with a family member or maybe you who are reading this being seduced by the evil drug, listen to the words and emotion of “The Heroin Diaries”. This has to be the album of the year musically & lyrically.