Sixx:A.M. represent a major break from Nikki Sixx's hair-metal roots. Founded by the Mötley Crüe bassist/songwriter in 2007, the band deal in a blend of grungy melodies and alt-metal crunch that's darker and heavier than his former group. Stormy emotional cores lurk inside “Life Is Beautiful” (a groove-blasted survivor's tale of his recovery from addiction) and “Lies of the Beautiful People” (an industrial-rock tirade against celebrity culture). Even the rousing nu-metal defiance anthem “We Will Not Go Quietly” emits tormented vibes alongside high-flying choruses and thick riffs.