Notes & Personnel Info |  | Saliva: Josey Scott (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion); Chris D. , Wayne Swinny (guitar, background vocals); Dave Novotny (bass instrument); Paul Crosby (drums). |  | On SURVIVAL OF THE SICKEST, Saliva largely forgoes the rap-metal and post-grunge sounds that characterized the group's previous albums in favor of an old-school, Southern rock-informed brand of blazing power metal. The riffs are simpler, the melodies catchier, and the lyrical sentiments more up-front than ever before, making for a particularly bracing listen. On "Rock & Roll Revolution" and the title track, Saliva sounds like a combination of early Metallica and Lynyrd Skynyrd, but with the celebratory spirit of classic Kiss. "Open Eyes," on the other hand, is a straight-up power ballad of the sort that would make Poison and Ratt proud. Throughout, the band sounds like it's having a great time, repeatedly skewering record-industry phonies while proving that hard rock remains as vital as ever. |
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