Rise Up

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Probably one of the hardest things for an established rock band to do is replace their lead singer. For every act that has successfully accomplished this daunting task (AC/DC, Van Halen, etc.), there are countless others that have failed. Upon hearing Saliva's eighth studio album, Rise Up, you can now add the band to the former category. New singer Bobby Amaru has successfully replaced original singer Josey Scott (who exited the group in 2012), and has joined up with longtime members Wayne Swinny (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Dave Novotny (bass, backing vocals), and Paul Crosby (drums), and has helped deliver an album that manages to push the band's sound into new areas, as well as retaining the group's trademark elements - including anthemic choruses and crushing riffs. "That would be Paul contacted me," is how Amaru recalls first getting in touch with the band. "But it was through this guy Jeff that we know - a mutual friend. He used to do lights for the band. He does lights for so many other acts, like Godsmack and Limp Bizkit. But he lives in Jacksonville - he's actually right around the corner from me. And we hung out a lot and stuff, so he just called me up and said that they were looking for a singer and if it was OK to give Paul my number. And that's how that happened." With accled producer Bobby Huff (Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, Tim Finn) on board, all the pieces seem to be in place. And Saliva has delivered with their new single, "Rise Up." "'Rise Up' ...it's a statement on where we're at," adds Swinny. "The title just has that fire to it." And if you are a longtime Saliva fan, you are sure to be extremely pleased with the full-length 'Rise Up' - a bold record full of big hooks, swagger and plenty of guitars. And, outside of the ballad "Lost," it's first and foremost a rock record. These are songs that kick hard, from the immediacy of the aforementioned "Rise Up," to the slow build of "Choke," and the rollickin' "Redneck Freakshow," a song the band seems particularly proud of.