ZAR (feat. John Lawton) – Live Your Life Forever [Metalapolis / YesterRock remaster]

13 years after their last CD, German cult hard rockers ZAR returned 2016 with a new album. The platter was the first with the band’s new recording label, Metalapolis Records, a division of Come Back Media (formerly YesterRock). To celebrate Zar’s comeback, it was reissued / remastered for the first time “Live Your Life Forever“, the  great debut album ZAR recorded with renowned English vocalist John Lawton back in 1990.

Lawton’ legendary pipes turned a trademark for major acts Uriah Heep, Lucifer’s Friend, or recently Intelligent Music Project, among many others, and as solo artist as well. But there’s something like a forgotten gem on his curriculum vitae: his recording with Germans melodic hard rockers ZAR, the criminally ignored 1990’s “Live You Life Forever”.
This album was the second collaboration between John Lawton and Zar’s mastermind, guitarist Tommy Clauss. The duo released a hard rock album (‘Stargazer’) some years earlier under the ‘Rebel’ moniker, a short-lived project.

But ZAR’s “Live Your Life Forever” is the real deal: pure ’80s MHR / AOR in the vein of Grand Prix, spiced with a bit of Bonfire, the good Scorpions, and why not some Scandinavian greats like Treat or 220 Volt.
Terrific sharp guitars, tons of pompous keyboards and John Lawton’s soaring vocals makes this recording a truly polished diamond through its 9 complete – no fillers – tracks.

Take as example killer opener “Heart Of The Night” that would’ve been a huge hit with a proper management and record label back-up. The song stomps on at the pounding beat of Peter Kumpf’s heavy drums, while guitar and keyboards play on top. Lawton’s voice is crystal clear, soulful and all-round impressive.

“Heart Of The Night” has all the elements of a big ’80/90’s melodic hard rock hit, especially the chorus is something that just begs for singing along.
Then bounce your body with the monster title track “Live Your Life Forever” which begins in a haunting fashion and evolves into another strong melo-rock tune. Clauss lays down terrific guitar lines that in this case made the early albums of Finnish legends Tarot spring to my mind.

The classic German AOR / Melodic Rock sound shine as well in the marching “Gone For Tomorrow” complete with swirling keyboards, while the stellar vocals of Lawton makes the ballad “The Look Of Your Eyes” a must.

“Live Your Life Forever” is an album that really deserved a world wide recognition around the time of its release. But never it’s too late.
This reissue has a slightly changed artwork and sounds million bucks with a remastering honoring the aura of the original recording, and giving more brilliance to all instruments and Lawton’s gifted pipes.
Believe me, ZAR’s “Live Your Life Forever” is an essential piece in your Melodic Hard Rock / AOR collection.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Heart Of The Night
02 – Line Of Fire
03 – Live Your Life Forever
04 – Lost Son Of The King
05 – Cry Of The Nile
06 – Gone For Tomorrow
07 – The Look Of Your Eyes
08 – She’s A Liar
09 – Fire And Ice

John Lawton – Vocals
Tommy Clauss – Guitars
Jerry Schaffer – Keyboards
Peter Kumpf – Drums, Synth Bass on 4
with:
Bernd Grunen, Rolf Kersting – Bass
Richard Schwarz – Drums on 9
Roger Pitman – Backing vocals

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www.amazon.de/-/en/Zar/dp/B01ETDAZ3A