LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE – Hell Is Coming To Breakfast (2012)

*

Justin Murr and his current partners Vic Rivera and JK Northrup have been hard at work for the past couple of years on the next LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE album ‘The Cigar Chronicles’, an ambitious, two-disc project of both new songs and cover tunes.

However, that process has taken much longer than initially planned, and Murr wasn’t happy with leaving his fans without new L N’ J music for that long.

So many new tracks of the recent recording sessions plus a couple of alternate mixes (including an acoustic version of “Sin” featuring the late Jani Lane) are being released as “Hell Is Coming To Breakfast”.

One thing people will likely notice is that the songs here are a bit more aggressive in nature than a lot of Liberty N’ Justice previous material, and the production has a bit of a modern feel in several spots.

The songs still hold a melodic quality that fits well with the sound and style of the vocalists that have been chosen for this release, but there is no denying there is an edge not present on the ‘Chasing A Cure’ album, for example.

This sonic edge does not carry over into the lyrics or the vibe, as these really show off a fun, goofy side of Liberty N’ Justice that many people may not have heard before.

With such great track titles as “Nakatomi Plaze” (Die Hard fans rejoice), “Whack A Mole” and “Stretch Armstrong” it should be apparent that L N’ J is mining some new territory here, or at least taking a new approach to their delivery.

The album’s title track starts things off in the right direction, with a powerful vocal performance by Seann Nichols, formerly known as Sheldon Tarsha of Adler’s Appetite. JK Northrup of King Kobra/XYZ handles the guitars here, as he does on several tracks on this album, and there is a nice solo that should keep fans of the melodic L N’ J style very happy.

Follow-up “Mad Hatter” continues in this melodic direction with Donnie Vie’s unmistakeable vocals shining on top of Northrup’s smooth scales.

On “Whack A Mole” we hear the aforementioned aggressivity and much modern sound, but the tune is really catchy and the chorus extremely infectious.

“Thankful Heart” steers things sharply back into the more melodic, more typical Liberty N’ Justice sound. Phillip Bardowell shines as usual in the vocal department, adorned with nice keyboards and fine guitars handled by Anthony Gravley. This is a cover of a forgotten Petra track, so expect religious lyrics but with a great message

.

“Nakatomi Plaza” may win Best Song Title of the Year awards, and “Stretch Armstrong” isn’t far behind. Titles aside, these are two smoking songs, again featuring a slightly more modern sound that really show the power of this record. “Nakatomi” has a definitely a hard rockin’ approach with fun lyrics referencing Die Hard movies.

“Stretch Armstrong” continues the more modern, yet still melodic craft and features some killer axe-work from Keri Kelli.

“Get Down” returns to more familiar L N’ J territory as far as style goes, and Tony Mills (TNT / Shy) pulls off one of the best vocal performances of the disc. Mark Allen Lanoue of Chasing Karma lays down some really nice lead guitar tracks for this song, with Anthony Gravley handling the rhythm and bass guitars. This is a cover of an Audio Adrenaline song, but I have to say this version is melodic and catchy.

On “Your Memory Just Won’t Do”, despite the fact that CJ Snare is credited on the track, the Firehouse singer does not handle all the vocal duty here; it’s shared with David Cagle, who has worked in L N’ J before. An acoustic track featuring guitars by Alex Grossi of Quiet Riot fame.

Ex- Great White Jack Russell is featured on a reworked alternate mix of “Monkey Dance”, which originally appeared a few years ago on the Independence Day album.

Another re-worked ald song is “What Do You Believe”, which has different chorus and rhythm and the very good vocals of Mike Ledesma from Far Cry. In all reality, it is almost like two different songs with the lyrical and vocalist changes, and both tracks stands up well here.

Closing track is an acoustic version of “Sin” with the late Jani Lane. Anyone who has heard the electric version of this song knows how well it is written. However, when the electricity and distortion is stripped away, and Jani Lane’s vocals are given the full, haunting range of emotion that he poured into this track, it truly becomes something both breathtakingly beautiful and achingly sad to listen to at the same time.

Overall, “Hell Is Coming To Breakfast” may be a tad bit disjointed due to the various styles that are employed here, but that is part of its charm.

The songs are good and well crafted, from melodious tunes to edgy rockers including calmer ballads. We have fine performances by all the artists involved and production is good, even in the couple demo versions.

A gift to the melodic hard rock fans who have been patiently waiting for new Liberty N’ Justice material until the ‘Cigar Chronicles’ comes out.

Good Stuff.

01. Hell Is Coming To Breakfast

Seann Nichols (Adler’s Appetite/Tarsha), JK Northrup (King Kobra/XYZ)

02. Madhatter

Donnie Vie (Enuff Z’Nuff), JK Northrup (King Kobra/XYZ), Chris Dickens (Mission Of One), Tommy Denander

03. Whack A Mole

Johnny Lima, JK Northrup (King Kobra/XYZ), Jerry Johnson (Saint), Richard Lynch (Saint)

04. Thankful Heart

Phillip Bardowell (Magdallan/Unruly Child), Lynn Louise Lowrey (Vixen/Testify), Anthony Gravely

05. Nakatomi Plaza

JK Northrup (King Kobra/XYZ), Greg Bishop (X-Sinner), Scott Weisenborn (Testify)

06. Stretch Armstrong

Louis St. August (Mass), JK Northrup (King Kobra/XYZ), Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper/Ratt/LA Guns)

07. Get Down

Tony Mills (TNT / Shy), Mark Allen Lanoue (Chasing Karma/Biloxi), Anthony Gravley

08. Your Memory Just Won’t Do

CJ Snare (Firehouse), Alex Grossi (Quiet Riot), David Cagle

09. Thy Will Be Done [demo version]

Jamie Rowe (Guardian/Crunch)

10. What Do You Believe?

Mike Ledesma (Far Cry), Vic Rivera (Crunch)

11. Monkey Dance [Alternate Mix]

Jack Russell (Great White)

12. Sin (Acoustic Version)

Jani Lane (Warrant)

Tony Mills (TNT / SHY)

Seann Nicols (Adler’s Appetite/ Tarsha)

JK Northrup (King Kobra / XYZ)

Donnie Vie (Enuff Z’Nuff)

Chris Dickens (Mission Of One)

Tommy Denander

Jerry Johnson, Richard Lynch (Saint)

Philip Bardowell (Magdalen / Unruly Child)

Lynn Louise Lowrey (Vixen / Testify)

Greg Bishop (X-Sinner)

Scott Wisenborn (Testify)

Mark Allen Lanoue (Chasing Karma / Biloxi)

Johnny Lima

Louis St August (Mass)

Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper)

Justin Murr: Guitar, Keyboards, Drums

BUY IT !

www.amazon.com/Hell-Coming-Breakfast-Liberty-Justice/dp/B007OC6F9M