THE LIZARDS – Reptilicus Maximus (2015)
“Reptilicus Maximus” is the long-awaited new album from the classic rock band THE LIZARDS, featuring former members of Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Cactus and Riot, released on Hyperspace Records in partnership with drumming legend Carmine Appice’s Rocker Records.
The band’s seventh album features guest appearances by Glenn Hughes, Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush) and Vinnie Moore (UFO).
THE LIZARDS are drummer Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath), vocalist / keyboardist Mike DiMeo (Riot, Masterplan), bassist Randy Pratt (Cactus) and guitarist Patrick Klein (who recorded and mixed the album). The band’s 2006 release Against All Odds and their covers album from 2009 Archeology, garnered rave reviews from fans and music press alike worldwide, catapulting THE LIZARDS into legendary status.
It is obvious from the opening seconds of “Reptilicus Maximus” that we’re in a vintage hard rock treatment. Trademark rolling, brooding bass lines and jarring shots of heaviness injected through muscular riffing offer grist to the Lizards’ creative mill, their compositional flair extracted from both old school virtues and wicked swagger.
The opener “Ton On the One” finds heavy funk imbued grooves and blazing guitars colliding with impressive effect, also there’s no denying the ball-swinging majesty of “Turnin’ Me Under”. There’s fire and passion to be found all around, not to mention cleverness in the songwriting.
Mike DiMeo’s raspy voice perfectly complements the bluesy guitar-harmonica blowout of “Incurable”, before unleashing scorched fury on the fabulous “Crash” featuring a killer guitar solo by guest Vinnie Moore.
Moments later, “Crawlin’ King Snake” scavenges through similar prehistoric landscapes, with snarls added as a bonus.
The Lizards occasionally take their foot of the gas (“The Rat’s ‘N Us”), but while that gives the album extra perspective the results don’t bear the same hallmarks of quality as the audacious “Miracle Man” (legend Glenn Hughes shine as usual) or the potency of “Wild West”.
If Classic Rock is your thing you can’t go wrong with “Reptilicus Maximus”.
All these seasoned musicians in THE LIZARDS know something about this game, and they Rock with style. Special mention to Bobby Rondinelli, one of the most consistent (and underrated) drummers in Rock history.
Strongly Recommended.
01 – Ton On The One
02 – Evil Eyes (feat. Frank Marino)
03 – Incurable
04 – Crash (feat. Vinnie Moore)
05 – Crawlin’ King Snake
06 – In The Pleasure Dome
07 – Wild West
08 – Pray For Peace
09 – The Rat’s ‘N Us
10 – Turnin’ Me Under
11 – Miracle Man (feat. Glenn Hughes)
Bobby Rondinelli – drums
Mike DiMeo – vocals, keyboardsRandy Pratt – bass
Patrick Klein – guitar
Glenn Hughes – guest vocals
Frank Marino – guest guitar
Vinnie Moore – guest guitar
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www.amazon.com/Reptilicus-Maximus-Lizards/dp/B0154XVK1A
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