LYNX – Long Live Rock n’ Roll (2021)
It’s not often you can say a hard rock band formed after two members bonded over a Lewis Capaldi track, but that appears to be the case with Canadians Lÿnx. Vocalist Lazer Wild and lead guitarist Blade showed mutual admiration for the song “Someone You Loved” so they decided to cover the track. But while the original is just vocals and piano, they did a full electric power-ballad re-work.
Now LYNX, this classic ’80 Hard Rock / Glam Metal band hailing from Calgary, Canada, are releasing their new EP ‘Long Live Rock n’ Roll‘, a powerful, catchy, anthemic collection of songs combining the best of Kiss, Poison, Ratt, Motley Crüe with their own personality.
This is pure hair metal circa 1987 but not a parody or a nostalgic trip, Lÿnx sounds real, authentic, and kick some serious ass.
Formed in 2020 initially the band’s name was decided to be “LazerBlade” which was inspired by the first name of the vocalist & guitar player as they are also the founding members of the band. Something was missing and wasn’t going too well with the theme of the band.
After some time of struggling to come up with a name, it may sound crazy but one night while Blade was looking out the window around 2 AM he saw a huge Canadian lynx cat roaming around in his neighbourhood.
Next day, Lazer decided to put the cherry on the cake and changed Lynx to Lÿnx to make its, well, even more ’80s.
The band recorded & released their debut EP after few months formed, and while these are almost demos, homemade recordings, all rock greatly. These are the songs placed at the end here.
But the songs on ‘Long Live Rock n’ Roll’ (tracks 1 to 6) blow out of the water anything recorded by Lÿnx before: this is a professionally recorded tunes produced with bombast and a huge sound. Of course, you need good songs and Lÿnx known how to write a catchy riff and a hooky chorus.
Opening with the cataclysmic title track, ‘Long Live Rock n’ Roll’ delivers in droves, firing up the classic Lÿnx sound and paying tribute to the heavy sounds of ‘80s hard rock while also adding their own special twist. Bold, brazen, and built to overcome any obstacles, the title track is an immediate highlight.
On second slot ‘Irresistible’, the boys push the charm and intensity, creating a hot track that is all about getting the girl, and sports an irresistible chorus indeed, melodic.
Then ‘Crazy Crazy World’, stitched together from a deadly stream of fast-paced tempos, wild vocals, and even a shredding guitar solo, it’s a massive track that hits all the right marks. As the second half of the EP arrives, Lÿnx don’t miss a beat, launching into a second volley of hard-hitting glam-rock anthems that keep on burning well into the small hours.
Starting with ‘Red Rocket’, a sleazy rock gem that strikes hard with an undeniable heavy-funky rhythm, the EP builds to a climactic finish, ticking all the boxes of the classic sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll experience.
Fifth track ‘Forged In Fire’ lives up to its name with plenty of power ballad brilliance, but it’s the band’s closing anthem, a modern take of Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ that really shines, paying tribute to the heavy metal legends while also putting their own visceral twist on a classic.
In terms of this style – ’80s Hair Metal / Glam Hard Rock – ‘Long Live Rock n’ Roll’ is a brilliant piece, catchy, cheesy, but rockin’ like few, a direct and unyielding ode to what rock n’ roll music used to be.
A release that’s not for the faint of heart, it’s bold, brash, landing as one of Lÿnx’s defining musical moments.
These Canadians are good, very good, and we’re only expecting bigger things from them…
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Long Live Rock n’ Roll
02 – Irresistible
03 – Crazy Crazy World
04 – Red Rocket
05 – Forged In Fire
06 – Paranoid
07 – Someone You Loved
08 – It’s Time to Party
09 – That’s All I Want
10 – Rock N’ Roll Tonight
11 – Shout Out Loud
12 – Hold Me Tonight
Lazer Wild – vocals, keys
Blade – guitars, bkg vocals
Fangs – bass, bkg vocals
Flash – drums
BUY
lynxrocks.com/music
