Mick Mars finally announces solo album (out February 23 2024)

[Gordon Comstock]

 

https://shop.mickmarsofficial.com/

 

The legendary guitarist, whose riffs, solos and overall devastatingly heavy sound powered the L.A. icons through four decades of world-conquering, multi-platinum sonic mayhem is, as he demonstrates on his debut solo effort, still a serious force to be reckoned with. Only now, listeners are reckoning with more Mars than ever before. "When it comes to my playing, there's the MÖTLEY side and the Mars side," the guitarist says. "Either way, I always have a very clear vision of what I want to do."

On the aptly titled "The Other Side of Mars", fans get that vision in its full, multifarious glory. To be sure, there are plenty of characteristically riff-tastic, tough-as-nails hard-rock anthems. The album also presents the guitarist heading into new and uncharted territory, tearing through caustic, modern metal, conjuring gothic-tinged soundscapes, and digging into anguished, slow-burning power balladry alongside unspooling bluesy, cinematic instrumental workouts. The music throughout the collection is otherwise studded with slide guitars, violins, violas, keyboards, glitchy freak-outs and all manner of sonic surprises.

"There's a lot of ideas that I have that, I don't want to call them 'left,' but they are, you know what I mean?" Mars says. Regarding those stylistic turns, he continues, "My feeling has always been, I might gain some fans, I might lose some fans. But what they're hearing, it's all me."

The guitarist enlisted a crack team of musicians to help him along the way. A key contributor to the project was WINGER and former ALICE COOPER keyboardist (and, like Mars, Nashville resident) Paul Taylor, who, in addition to performing on the record and assisting Mars in co-writing many of the tracks, introduced the guitarist to powerhouse vocalist Jacob Bunton. "Jacob came into the studio and it was like, bam!" Mars recalls. "And I just said, 'Yeah, he's the guy.' And most of his vocals were one take."

The supporting band was rounded out by KORN drummer Ray Luzier, bassist Chris Collier and singer Brion Gamboa, who contributed lead vocals to two songs. Mars reflects, "those required a little bit more of an angsty, desperation kind of thing. And Brion really came to the table with that." Alongside playing bass on all songs recorded, Collier mixed and mastered the debut solo album.

But while Mars surrounded himself with a new cast of players for the sessions, there was one figure who represented a significant link to his storied past: Michael Wagener. The much-lauded German producer and engineer worked behind the boards on MÖTLEY CRÜE's 1981 debut, "Too Fast For Love", and his relationship with Mars stretches even further back.

"I had known him for a long time, and I actually brought him to MÖTLEY," Mars says. Working with Wagener this time, the guitarist continues, "he had such an understanding of where I wanted to go with the material. And he never said 'Hey, do this,' or tried to change my mind or anything like that. He was just really adamant about recording what I wanted to record, and making sure we recorded it right."

The result is a record unlike anything Mars has offered up in his more than 40-year career.

To that end, he says that even as he unleashes "The Other Side Of Mars" on the world, he's already working on a follow-up. He offers, "I'm trying to keep growing," Mars says. "Because if you stop learning new things, if you stop playing new things, if you close your mind, you're done. You have to keep moving and creating. Next!"

"The Other Side of Mars" track listing:

01. Loyal To The Lie
02. Broken On The Inside
03. Alone
04. Killing Breed
05. Memories
06. Right Side Of Wrong
07. Ready To Roll
08. Undone
09. Ain't Going Back
10. LA Noir

https://blabbermouth.net/news/mick-mars-announces-the-other-side-of-mars-solo-album-shares-loyal-to-the-lie-single

[jimisbatman]

Woop woop, at work right now so can't listen to single but been looking forward to this for ages. Long live Mick Mars. Love Jacob too, seems to be quality. 

[lame ass security]

I'm really pulling for Mick, I feel like the other guys in the Crue were sort of callous when it came to his health issues.

[Gordon Comstock]

41 minutes ago, jimisbatman said:

Woop woop, at work right now so can't listen to single but been looking forward to this for ages. Long live Mick Mars. Love Jacob too, seems to be quality. 

 

Yea it seems like he first mentioned a solo album well over a decade ago? Then a few years later did some songs with Corabi which seem to have been scrapped... This single is ok, I'm really interested to hear the full album. I ordered the vinyl.

[jimisbatman]

5 hours ago, Gordon Comstock said:

 

Yea it seems like he first mentioned a solo album well over a decade ago? Then a few years later did some songs with Corabi which seem to have been scrapped... This single is ok, I'm really interested to hear the full album. I ordered the vinyl.

Would of loved to hear Corabi songs. Didn't he scrap them due to the crue contract not to perform again,or just no chemistry?loved self titled album. This album will sound mint on vinyl. 

[username]

I thought Mick Mars was barely able to move at this point. 

[Rindmelon]

Seems like this thing been brewing almost longer that Chidem was. Doesn't sound anything at all like I thought it would. I'm not overly into it but this is just one song tbf

[Cosmo]

Is it a rule every Motley Crue side project has to be a bit emo, in some level? 

[Gordon Comstock]

Another single:

 

I'm not a big fan of his singer, but I'm still looking forward to hearing the full album. The 2 songs with the other singer will be interesting.

[Gordon Comstock]

I was hoping for more songs like this tbh...

 

Only really listened to the album once so far but this was the other highlight