Best ‘Comeback album’ 2017, #1 : LIONHEART – Second Nature [Japanese Edition+ 1] (2017)
After many requests, here’s a re-post of LIONHEART’s terrific comeback album ”Second Nature” in its Japanese Edition.
After decades of wait, ’80s UK melodic hard rockers LIONHEART finally released their sophomore album, “Second Nature“. This Japanese edition includes an exclusive bonus track.
LionHeart was formed by Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden), initially as part of the NWOBHM but soon developed a more catchy, accessible sound. Their sole official studio album to date is the awesome 1984′s Hot Tonight, rightly revered among many Melodic Hard Rock fans.
They split-up in 1986 with Stratton going on to join Praying Mantis. Fast forward to 2016 and they reformed for the Rockingham festival, which led to the band recording this new album and they have already played live dates in Japan and Sweden Rock Festival, with a UK tour with Airrace due later this year.
Joining original members guitarists Dennis Stratton & Steve Mann (ex-MSG, Sweet) and bassist Rocky Newton (ex-MSG), there are drummer Clive Edwards (ex-Wild Horses, UFO) and vocalist Lee Small (Phenomena, Shy).
Small is an inspired choice as his singing style suits the melodic hard rock on this album perfectly.
And what an album! Chock full of catchy melodious tunes with some real monster songs like ‘Give Me The Light’ and ‘Angels With Dirty Faces’. Both have harmony vocals around the choruses that bring to mind the mighty Sweet.
’30 Years’ fair gallops along like a young thoroughbred, with the guitars firing on all six on this one.
To cool things down a little we have the superb power ballad ‘Every Boy In Town’. The keys add to the big production feel to this one, highlighting again what a great match for the music Lee Small is with his melodic singing.
A surprise is the cover of Chris de Burgh’s ‘Don’t Pay The Ferryman’ and what a corker of a cover it is! They rock this one up.
‘Heartbeat Radio’ is another fine slice of hard rock and features again fast ‘n’ furious guitar solos from Dennis Stratton and Steve Mann.
LionHeart 2017 is a Melodic Hard Rock machine, perfecly oiled and while awesomely melodic they have the bite missing in most acts from the genre nowadays.
“Second Nature” rocks bigtime, not a duff tune to be heard, as it is high quality classic Melodic Hard Rock from start to finish.
The Lions are back and roaring… AWESOME!
01 – Prelude
02 – Give Me The Light
03 – Don’t Pay The Ferryman
04 – Angels With Dirty Faces
05 – 30 Years
06 – On Our Way
07 – Second Nature
08 – Prisoner
09 – Every Boy In Town
10 – Time Is Watching
11 – Heartbeat Radio
12 – Lionheart
13 – Paperback Writer (Japan bonus track)
14 – Reprise
Lee Small (lead vocals)
Dennis Stratton (lead guitar / backing vocals)
Steve Mann (lead guitar / keyboards / backing vocals)
Rocky Newton (bass guitar / backing vocals)
Clive Edwards (drums)
BUY IT
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/KICP-1854
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