REVIEW: BABYLON A.D. “Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day” – Perris Records

Babylon A.D. may have been lumped into the 80’s Hair Bands, but they always had a different and heavier vibe. They hailed from the San Francisco Bay area that was known more for their Thrash Metal scene. Babylon A.D. was certainly more of a “Rock” band, but their hits like ‘Band Go The Bells”, “Hammer Swings Down” and “Kid Goes Wild” had a darker edge.

I also recall in an interview with frontman Derek Davis they lost their record deal after their sophomore album “Nothing Sacred” after refusing to play a ballad for record execs. I might not have that story 100 percent correct but it showed the band had integrity about their sound and wanted to remain a heavier band back in the day.

Now we’re decades past that and founding members Davis and guitarist Ron Freschi and John Matthews have a new album called “Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day”.  I’m sure they guys would tell you that a lot has happened since their last major label release in 1992. And they have remained a band throughout the years as well who have put out a couple albums “American Blitzkrieg” (2000) and “Revelation Highway” (2017). So they’ve really never quit moving forward completely.

When you listen to new material from the Classic Rock and 80’s era, you always have to take one thing into account. The budget. There’s NO way anyone is putting the same amount of cash into an album as they did back in the day. Excess was everything back then and quite often it’s a shock for fans to hear their favorite bands put out material on smaller budget.

Thankfully for Babylon A.D., their first two albums were NOT overproduced and actually had a live energy, so “Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day” still has similarities to those albums. Having said that, production has changed dramatically over the years and there is a more “modern” feel to sound. The writing however has remained more consistent with their earlier material.

The opener “Wrecking Machine” shows that Derek Davis still has a GREAT voice and in some ways he’s gotten better. Freschi and Matthews still have great chops too on the guitars. The band still has that in the pocket groove too despite have a brand new rhythm section of drummer Dylan Soto and bassist Craig Pepe. I think fans will easily get into this track and hear elements from their first couple of albums.

They continue with “Pain”, that has a slightly slower tempo than the opener. Davis really brings this track alive with this emotional vocals. The chorus is fantastic, very solid hook, which is also a recurring theme throughout the album.

As I mentioned before, we’re talking decades since the early material and the guys have developed a softer side too. In songs like the title track, “I Will Never Break Never Break Again”  and “Looking For A Heartbeat” they lean into a more AOR sound that reminds everyone they’re not ashamed of their 80’s past, and in fact seem to embrace it.

The title track to “Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day” has an infectious chorus. If there was a lead single to break back and it was 1989 this one could have been a solid radio hit. I hope they’ve added this to the live set, this is just a great song no matter what the genre.

Overall I’m pleased with the album, I’ve been listening to them for decades and I’m aware of the fact that these guys are putting out music for the love of it now. They don’t NEED to do this but they obviously still enjoy this part of the business. It gives them a chance to add some songs to the setlist and keep themselves interested too. Give it a chance, these guys are legit and come from a time when Rock was King, I for one am thrilled they’re still out there slugging away.

https://babylonadband.com/