LORDS OF BLACK – II [Japanese Edition +3] (2016)

LORDS OF BLACK was formed in 2014 by former Saratoga guitarist Tony Hernando and drummer Andy C after the band ceased. They brought in Chilean singer Ronnie Romero to fill the vocal spot and quickly cut a record, the self-titled Lords Of Black in the same year.
They must be doing something right, as Frontiers Music signed them and will drop this week their second album, appropriately titled “II“. Let’s check this Japanese Edition featuring 3 juicy bonus tracks.

Co-produced by Roland Grapow (Masterplan) Lords Of Black supported the release of their firtst album with a series of very successful live shows, some of them as “very special guest” for high-profile international acts.
Then the news of Ronnie Romero joining the new incarnation of Rainbow broke out. This brought the band to the attention of the international media, with Rainbow legend Ritchie Blackmore describing Romero’s voice as “a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury.”

Essentially, Lords Of Black play a combination of traditional melodic metal, classic hard rock and hard ‘n heavy, definitely guitar-centered. Riffs rule the day while blazing and soaring solos provide the fireworks. Sometimes there’s subtle nuances to a song like the piano at the start of ‘New World’s Comin’ and which also lilts along throughout.
On tracks such as ‘Merciless, ‘Shadows Of War’ and ‘Live By The Lie Die By The Truth’ Lords Of Black speed up the heaviness but always blending catchiness with melodic and progressive elements.

Alternatively, the band can get some true hard rock groove going as with ‘Cry No More’ (inspired and dedicated to the late, great, Phil Lynott), but even this turns into a classy Euro metal number by the midpoint.
Then there’s songs that can fool you, like ‘Everything You’re Not’. It begins with some soft subtle piano, allowing you to think a metal anthem or ballad is ahead. Nope. It evolves into another ass-kicking metal number, yet some nice vocal development.
‘Ghost Of You’ does something similar, only with lighter guitar at the start, rather than piano. But soon rocks hard with a devastatingly epic guitar after the midpoint.

This Japanese Edition delivers 3 worthy bonus tracks including a kick ass cover of Rainbow’s classic “Lady of the Lake” (I can see why Blackmore called Ronnie Romero for Rainbow’s vocal slot), and a great take on Queen’s ‘Innuendo’, heavier bu respecting the original with Lords Of Black’s style.

Lords Of Black “II” delivers in spades what lovers of classic melodic metal / hard rock powered by speed ‘n’ thunder want: roaring riffage, oodles of blazing guitar solos and ‘classy’ vocals.
Solid as granite rock songs very well produced, again with the help of Roland Grapow, a man that know ‘something’ about this genre.
Highly Recommended.

01. Malevolently Beautiful (Intro)
02. Merciless
03. Only One Life Away
04. Everything You’re Not
05. New World’s Comin’
06. Cry No More
07. Tears I Will Be
08. Insane
09. Live by the Lie, Die by the Truth
10. Ghost of You
11. The Art of Illusions Part III: The Wasteland
12. Shadows of War
13. Lady of the Lake (Rainbow Cover) (Bonus Track)
14. Innuendo (Queen Cover) (Exclusive Bonus Track)
15. Insane (Piano Version) (Exclusive Bonus Track)

Ronnie Romero – Vocals
Tony Hernando – Guitars, bass
Andy C. – Drums, piano, synths
Additional Pianos and Synths by Tony Hernando and Víctor Díez
Co-produced, Mixed and Mastered by Roland Grapow

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/GQCS-90120
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