MALICE – License To Kill [Rock Candy remastered]

Rock Candy Records already remastered MALICE first album, and after a couple of years they did the same for their second LP, the indeed killer “License To Kill“, a really welcomed release because the only remastered version (Japan) has been out of print for ages.
For their second album, Malice hardened their sound, but still there’s an implicit L.A. hard rock groove / melody all over. With British producer Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Y&T) behind the desk, the album’s sound is much more polished.
For many, this is the album Judas Priest should have released after Defenders Of The Faith instead of Turbo.
For me, “License To Kill” is what would happen if Dokken suddenly grew 8 foot tall testicles.

Killer opener “Sinister Double” is a mid-paced American hard / metal romp featuring some high, over-the-top vocals from James Neal. The follow-up track is another midtempo number, title track “License To Kill”, a groovier song that’s way too fun to sing along to, one of my favorites. Just tell me if there isn’t a Dokken feel…

“Chain Gang Woman” is one mean track with a driving guitar riff and an instant hook created by the shout along gang vocals. The driving riff assault in here is incredible.
“Against the Empire” is also in a similar vein and quite heavy, while “Christine” (which is based on the Stephen King novel) and “Breathin’ Down Your Neck” go for a more hard rock punch, with edge.

Album closer “Circle of Fire” is a another highlight, featuring some insane high vocals that would match the best from Rob Halford, where guitarists Mick Zane and Jay Reynolds rip out some very European sounding twin riffs.

Malice’s “License To Kill” is a kick ass rocking album that was criminally ignored when released. The band had the big label (Atlantic), the looks, the sound and some cracking songs that easily could have scored a hit in 1987.
How this album didn’t help push the band over the edge is a mystery. Perhaps the reason is that was released in a year when the US market was flooded with great albums in the metal-related genre, and Malice resulted relegated.

This Rock Candy remaster is quite different from the Japanese. It has a vinyl LP-like warm where the mid-range frequencies enhance the guitar riff, which essentially, are the driven force of the songs.
Highly Recommended

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – Sinister Double
02 – License To Kill
03 – Against The Empire
04 – Vigilante
05 – Chain Gang Woman
06 – Christine
07 – Murder
08 – Breathin’ Down Your Neck
09 – Circle Of Fire

James Neal – Vocals
Mick Zane – Guitars
Jay Reynolds – Guitars
Mark Behn – Bass
Clifford Carothers – Drums

BUY
www.amazon.de/-/en/Malice/dp/B076TZ3HGX