Lillian Axe – Deep Red Shadows
Love & War Records
www.lillianaxe.com

Rating: B

Founding member and guitarist Steve Blaze has sold his soul to rock n’ roll and dedicated his life to Lillian Axe.  This is a band of underrated rockers who, despite hardships, bad business decisions and just not having the right amount of mojo when it counted, have refused to give up.  The band don’t seem to care that they have not gotten the respect they deserve or that they shudda been, woulda been or coulda been rock stars.  They only seem hell bent on serving up killer slabs of music and taking it one day at a time.  

The new album, comes out July of 2010, titled Deep Red Shadows. Blaze has chosen the right voice for the band.  The album is part metal, part classic and even part Pink Floyd.  The mix really does seem to lead the music into deep red shadows.  The texture of the music is emotionally based yet still musically valid.  Nothing was sacrificed to ensure Blaze’s musical vision came out 100% intact.  Dare I say it that this is one of the best, if not the best efforts the band has ever released?  

“The Quenching of Human Life” is a depressing hunk of metal that features King’s X Ty Tabor on guitar.  “47 Ways to Die” is the first single and shows the band still have finesse, attitude and can rock harder than ever before. 

The album takes a turn with “Nobody Knows.”  This is a mellow, introspective song that showcases the band’s ability to play for the song and stay true to form.  “Sad Day on Planet Earth” and “Nocturnal Symphony” are both morose rockers as well but they are also some of the most creative songs on the disc.  

This is a good album that will appeal to nearly anyone who loves well-produced and executed hard rock.  

-         Jeb Wright