LEE AARON – Metal Queen ’84 [remastered reissue] *HQ*

As requested, here’s the remastered reissue of LEE AARON‘s iconic album “Metal Queen“. Born Karen Lynn Greening, the singer / songwriter took her name from one of her early bands. After a solo first album, LEE AARON’s proper debut as solo artist happened with this 1984 LP which lead into a multi-album contract with Attic Records and resulted in Aaron forming an 11 year-song writing partnership with her guitarist, John Albani.
The self proclaimed “Metal Queen” was one of the first women in Canada to navigate the male-dominated waters of rock ‘n’ roll, pioneering the way for a significant number of artists.
“Metal Queen” is an ’80s cult classic, with a sound & style ranging from commercial metal to hard rock.

Probably the first thing anyone talks about in relation to Aaron’s second album, “Metal Queen,” is the cover. I wouldn’t debate anyone who thought her outfit on the cover was bought at a dime store but hey, even if it was, she makes it look good. Even after several decades on, looking at this cover still gives you a warm feeling.
While the cover might be nice to look at, it’s the music contained on the record that counts.
After hearing Lee sing for the first time, it is obvious she can deliver the goods. She possessed a very strong voice and a rugged tone that reminds a bit of Ronnie James Dio.

The title track is a classic song, and one that would define Lee Aaron, at least in name. It’s strongest song on the album, as well as the heaviest sounding. The rest of the songs are chock full of slickly produced and competently executed pop-metal / melodic hard fare. Well, “Deceiver” is heavy too, one of the faster tracks on the album, brought to life by Aaron’s passionate vocals.
“Lady Of The Darkness Night”, the catchy “Shake It Up” and the very cool harmonies of “Head Above Water” are other highlights, and as might be expected there are the obligatory ballads as well. “Got to Be the One” is a power ballad and shows Lee Aaron to have a powerful voice.

“Metal Queen” is Aaron Lee’s hardest rocking album and a cult classic from the ’80s. Aaron gained quite a bit of popularity from this album, mostly in Europe and her homeland of Canada. And it made her known into the American market, something increased later with subsequent LP’s.
Highly Recommended

01 – Metal Queen
02 – Lady Of The Darkest Night
03 – Head Above Water
04 – Got To Be The One
05 – Shake It Up
06 – Deceiver
07 – Steal Away Your Love
08 – Hold Out
09 – Breakdown
10 – We Will Be Rockin’

Lee Aaron – lead vocals
John Albani – guitar, background vocals
George Bernhardt – guitar, background vocals
Attila Demjen, Frank Russell – drums
Jack Meli – bass, background vocals

out of print