Thinkin’ Bowie’s Just a Knife: Skid Row Slave to the Grind

 

 David Bierk

… 'a surprising and welcome jolt to the system', with Skid Row 'proving their mettle, their self-worth, their guts' on songs taking the listener 'to dark unsettling places where reflection collides with worry'. Popoff, Martin (August 1, 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. 

Released June 11, 1991, Skid Row’s second album, Slave to the Grind, surprised many at its complexity. The first metal album to debut at number 1 on Billboard Top 200 for weekly sales, Slave to the Grind demonstrated that Skid Row was more than just an angry metal band pumping out rock anthems and power ballads.

Many of us awaited the grand moment on Headbanger’s Ball when we would finally see (and hear) the first single, Monkey Business, before the album was even released. It was faster, louder, and harder than any song we’d heard on their self-titled debut. Forward two months and the album was released along with it's second single, Slave to the Grind. 

Having weathered his storm of controversies in the late 1980’s, Sebastian Bach seem ready to move on and also move away from the hair band label they had achieved – Slave to the Grind was a centimeter away from speed metal at times, and harkened back to his influences of the 1970’s. Many praised Dave "the Snake" Sabo and Rachel Bolan with the lyrics being stronger than Youth Gone Wild or I Remember You, but of course others didn't see the same and panned the lyrics. 

Success of albums such as Slave to the Grind ushered in in seemingly the beginning of the end of the metal grind of sorts. While the 1980's saw Skid Row open for Bon Jovi, they headlined with Pantera and Soundgarden in the 1990's as their openers. The biggest tour of the summer of 1991 was most definitely Guns N Roses Use Your Illusions Tour, which Skid Row joined. 1992 and beyond seems to usher in grunge and a slow adieu to bands like Skid Row. 

Skid Row with Sebastian as lead vocalist, would have five more years and two more albums together. The popularity they saw from their humble jersey roots that skyrocketed them to the Moscow Music Peace Festival with the other 80's hair bands would never be regained - as least in masses. The fans are still there and still loyal. 

Slave to the Grind - Track listing

Highlights, the MTV video tracks Monkey Business and Slave to the Grind are likely the most known. Even though they went heavier, some "ballads" still made it and they are powerful with Bas's iconic high notes: Quicksand Jesus, In a Darkened Room, and Wasted Time are worth your listen. Finally, for the runners out there, Riot Act, Living on a Chain Gang, and Psycho Love are great for your playlist. 

Monkey Business

Slave to the Grind

The Threat

Quicksand Jesus

Psycho Love

Get the F*ck Out

Living on a Chain Gang

Creepshow

In a Darkened Room

Riot Act

Mudkicker

Wasted Time