Historically Rock-n-Roll music has created characters and personas that capture the imagination. From David Bowie’s androgynous alien rock star Ziggy Stardust coming down to earth, to King Diamond’s demonic soul of Abigail trapped in a mansion, there have been plenty of interesting tales told. Now in 2024, the world is introduced to Crossbone Skully, a fictional superhero and the main character in a parallel mythology created by Tommy Henriksen.
An idea that has been brewing for many years, Henriksen has finally manifested the vision into a full-blown band and debut studio album that arrives on November 22, 2024 through Better Noise Music, under the title Evil World Machine. A Rock-n-Roll concept of the highest order, Crossbone Skully is led by Henriksen (famously known for his work with Warlock, Doro, and Alice Cooper) on vocalist/bass, with a very long list of all-star contributors.
Breaking it down, there is Guitarist Tommy Denander, Keyboardist Jamie Muhoberac (My Chemical Romance, John Mayer, Seal), Bassist Chris Wyse (Hollywood Vampires, Ace Frehley, the Cult, Ozzy Osbourne), Drummer Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper, Hollywood Vampires), the late UFO Bassist Pete Way all contributing to it. There is also mixing by Olle Romo (Muse, Bryan Adams), production/mixing by Mike Plotnikoff (AC/DC, Aerosmith), executive production of Mutt Lange (AC/DC, Def Leppard), as well as spoken-word appearances, appear throughout the album Johnny Depp as the voice of ‘The Sorcerer,’ Alice Cooper as ‘The Bringer of Light,’ Joe Perry as ‘Big Bad Bone Crusher,’ Nikki Sixx as ‘The Crooked Crow,’ and Kane Roberts as ‘Alpha Watchman.’ If that were not enough, Guitarists Sam Koltun and Anna Cara, along with Drummer Alex Boch work in the live edition of Crossbone Skully, joined by Chris Wyse on bass.
With a lot of names a part of this project, Henriksen’s vision for Crossbone Skully was big… so he clearly wanted to pull out all the stops. Topping it all off, he called on Mark Wilkinson, who designed for Iron Maiden, Marillion, Judas Priest, and The Darkness, to create the Evil World Machine album art. With this all in mind, the album delivers a larger-than-life Rock-n-Roll production that harks back to the days of Def Leppard’s 1983 classic Pyromania.
All consuming, you are immediately sucked into a world that is outside the realms of reality but only restricted to your ability to give into a true Rock-n-Roll fantasy. In this world, you have Crossbone Skully, a Harley-riding Rock-n-Roll hero looking to return to Earth in an attempt to save the planet from a Sorcerer looking to drain it of all life. Think it sounds cheesy? Think again, because while the universe is based in Science Fiction it most certainly has distinct parallels to present-day reality. It tackles the idea of greed, division imposed by outside forces, and battle against evils to save our souls. Is it political? Perhaps, but in a fashion that reminds us as a race we may have forgotten what is truly important, and instead have allowed others to drag us down into the mud as our moral infrastructure crumbles.
A pretty heavy message, fortunately, Henriksen presents the ideas in a very theatrical way that makes it fun, inviting, and most certainly balls-to-the-wall Rock-n-Roll. A lucky group of thirteen songs, there is so much involved in each one of them, that it is impossible to single out a favorite. Of course, the title-track is a great firestarter, but “Money, Sex, or God,” “The Boom Went The Boom” (featuring Def Leppard’s Phil Collen), “Everyone’s On Dope,” and “The Sin Eater” all have a rightful place at the top of the rankings. Then there is the groove “Ima Bone Machine,” the haunting “I AM The Wolf,” and the defiant “I’m Unbreakable.” However, you would be remiss to overlook other cuts, like the absolutely dark mood setting of “The Last Night On Earth.”
Overall, Crossbone Skully is a project that comes fully to its realization within the music of Evil World Machine. Feeling like a lot of time and energy went into everything, it will be interesting to see if Henriksen continues with the concept for future albums, but we do have an animated film (which premiered at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022), as well as a graphic novel and comic. All different aspects worth looking into, in terms of the band/music, this album is all killer and no filler. If you enjoy ‘80s Def Leppard, AC/DC, and thickly dramatic Hard Rock, you will love Crossbone Skully. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Evil World Machine 5 out of 5 stars.
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