Save Me from Myself (album)

In February 2005, Welch left Korn which he helped form in 1993, saying moral reasons caused his departure. Welch stated he had distanced himself from the band for one or two years, "I just wanted to fade away, it was crazy. I was so gone." While looking for a home in Arizona, Welch entered the recording studio. He immediately began writing; "entire songs would just come out: drums, bass, guitar, strings, choir, lyrics, everything... It was as if God was just downloading these songs inside me." After months of songwriting, "about three albums worth of material" had been created. On the experience of working with other musicians again since his departure from Korn, Welch attests, "It's been a long time since I've connected with people musically and, now that the wounds have healed from my past addictions, I'm ready to feel the magic again." ==Promotion==

On June 5, 2008, Welch posted a video announcement on his website. The video announced that Welch had officially signed with Driven Music Group, and would release Save Me from Myself on September 9, 2008. The single was released on July 8, 2008, on the iTunes Store, was filmed in Los Angeles, California, and released on September 5, 2008. ==Musical and lyrical themes==

Welch wrote in his autobiography, Save Me from Myself, that ideas for lyrics and music often came from conversations with friends, including themes for "Re-Bel" and "Washed by Blood". The music has "a Christian, spiritual edge", while being an "extension of the Korn family". The song "Flush", Welch explains, was written musically first. Welch had accidentally locked himself in his studio, so he decided, "I'm gonna go back inside, grab my keyboard, and whatever my hands do, I'll make a song out of it." He had created the opening riff for "Flush". Lyrically, Welch cites, "the lyrics for 'Flush' are basically about flushing all the crap in life down the toilet and starting out fresh," Welch continued, "All the drama that I experienced with getting drunk and doing drugs all the time seemed interesting and amusing to write about." Welch wrote "Re-Bel" after a friend told him about a child she knew with problems, due to poor treatment from his parents. The story reminded Welch of how he used to drink and not take care of his daughter when he should have. Welch said that the title track, "Save Me from Myself", is his most personal song. The verses talk about Welch's drug use, suicidal thoughts, depression, and lying. The song "encourages people to get out of the whole 'Sunday Christian' mentality" and helps them understand that God "dwells in us", not "in buildings". Welch wrote that he was referring to the Bible calling Jesus' punishment and bleeding on the cross as being "washed by blood". ==Reception==

Save Me from Myself received mixed reception from critics. Some praised the album's message, "Even though the music of Save Me from Myself isn't quite on par with the super hit material of Korn from the late '90s, it is nevertheless a very good nü-metal album with an amazing story of redemption." Andrea Goforth of Christianity Today stated, "The content is so much more positive that anything released by Korn, that I can look past the absence of hooks to find a great deal of hope." It has been proposed that the album has a distinctive sound, very reminiscent to Korn, but different in the matter that its uplifting. The general praise of Save Me from Myself has not been unanimous, however. Reviewing for Metal Edge, Madeline Phillips felt that, "Sadly, in pursuit of greater spiritual understanding . . . Welch seems to have lost all sense of a relatable musical identity and direction," and that despite some noteworthy riffs and decent melodies, the album is "not just alienating - quite frankly, it's boring." Save Me from Myself shipped over 7,800 copies in its opening week. It debuted at No. 27 in New Zealand, No. 7 on the Independent Albums chart, This prompted Welch to provide his explanation for what transpires in the video: ==Track listing==

• Brian Welch – vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, synthesizers, programming, producer • Archie J. Muise Jr. – rhythm guitar • Trevor Dunn – bass guitar • Tony Levin – bass guitar • Josh Freese – drums • Jennea Welch – vocals on "Re-Bel" • Doug Angle – vocals on "Re-Bel" • Christian McCullen – vocals on "Re-Bel" • Elijah Jurewics – vocals on "Re-Bel" • Hailey Cooper – vocals on "Re-Bel" • Taylor Cooper – vocals on "Re-Bel" • Greg Shanaberger – production supervisor • Mark Nawara – production supervisor • Carlos Castro – engineer • Randy Emata – editing, synthesizers, programming • Ralph Patlan – editing, mixing • Bruno Canale – engineer, guitar technician • Fernando Romay – engineer, guitar technician • Rafael Patrón – production coordinator • Patrick Essman – production assistant • Clint Keener – production assistant • Evren Goknar – mastering • Travis Smith – artwork, layout • Alonso Murillo – photography, photo editing • Bob Clearmountain – mixing ==Release history==