Search - Lillian Axe :: Lillian Axe

Amazing melodic rock album, now even better!

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 08/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Originally released in 1988, Lillian Axe's self-titled debut was one of the best (and until now, hardest to find) melodic hard rock albums of the 80's. The New Orleans band was worlds better than the average hair metal band, and had a highly melodic sound similar to bands like Hurricane, Winger and Enuff Z'Nuff.



You don't often see debut albums this strong. Most bands need a couple of releases to really nail down their sound, but Lillian Axe was in top form right from the start. I'm sure some of the credit for that goes to Ratt's Robbin Crosby, who produced the album, but you can't underestimate guitarist Stevie Blaze's songwriting skills. There are some first rate melodic rock songs on this album (and by some I mean pretty much all of them) that have insane melodies, awesome guitar work, and this great backing vocal harmonization (apparently by Kip Winger's brothers) that makes everything Ron Taylor sang resonate that much more.



If you're any kind of 80's rock/metal fan at all, the Lillian Axe debut is a must-have album. It's one of the best albums from the "hair metal" era, and holds up remarkably well 20 years later.



NOTE: Metal Mind reissued Lillian Axe in 2008, giving the album a much needed sonic upgrade. In addition to the digital remastering (which is amazing), there are a hefty 5 studio bonus tracks. I'm not entirely certain where the bonus tracks came from, but I suspect from their rougher sound that they must be the band's original demo songs. The reissue comes in a numbered digipack with expanded liner notes, and is limited to 2000 numbered copies. I didn't think it was possible for this album to get any better, but here's the proof!

"

A must, but it is NOT remastered as label claims

RedBlaze02 | USA | 08/15/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like any Lillian Axe recording, this album is a must have. However, on this particular reissue, the band had no control over what the label (Massacre/Metal Mind) did. The label on the CD says this is "digitally remastered using 24-bit process", but the master level is merely boosted compared to the original MCA CD release. There is no remastering. It is obvious the band had no input, as there are 5 "bonus" tracks that aren't even Lillian Axe tracks; the are Stiff tracks and are taken off vinyl, not original tape. You can here the clicks, etc. These tracks were later removed, so only the initial copies have them. It is appalling that this label would do this and I will make sure not to buy any other reissue Massacre/Metal Mind puts out. I'm giving it 5 stars, because that's what the music on this album is. Lillian Axe is in a class by themselves. Great songwriting, vocals and incredible, melodic guitar work. If you don't have it already, buy it. If you have the MCA release, hold onto it and let's hope that the band can get the tapes from MCA and do their own reissue with remastering on their own new label, Love & War Records. Long live the Axe!"

Is Lillian Axe the most under-rated melodic metal band?

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 02/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Good

To celebrate 20 years in the business, the first two Lillian Axe albums have been remastered and re-released on limited edition gold CD pressings. Only 2000 of each CD will be made available.



Some of you may be asking, just who is Lillian Axe? Well, just ask them and they'll tell you they're the most under rated melodic metal band you've never heard of. That remains to be seen, but Lillian Axe arrived on the metal scene back in 1984, paying their dues on the club circuit, until 1988 when they released their debut self-titled album. The album was produced by Ratt's Robbin Crosby, and has plenty of that 80s melodic metal sound that you would expect.



"Dream of a Lifetime" is heavy on guitars and vocal melody. "Inside Out" keeps the melodic vocals intact, but adds more crunch to the guitar riffage. "Picture Perfect" sparks comparisons to Ratt, Poison, and LA Guns with its catchy chorus, simplistic lyrics, and hard rocking edge. "The More That You Get" has a great sing-along chorus. "Misery Loves Company" is still a Lillian Axe live show standard. It's anthemic in its presentation. The group inserts back-to-back ballads with the acoustic based "Nobody Knows" and the keyboard heavy "Hard Luck."



Lead guitarist Stevie Blaze, vocalist Ron Taylor, rhythm guitarist Jon Ster, bassist Rob Stratton, and drummer Danny King return with bandanas, high hair, and mascara all intact for 1989's Love + War. The opening chords of "All's Fair in Love and War" will have you believing that Lillian Axe is abandoning their guitar based music, but there's a quick shift back to the meaty riffs and enduring vocals the band set forth in their debut. "She Likes it on Top" is pure 80s metal cliché and metaphor, but still quite memorable. If you didn't have a track named after a girl in the 80s, then you weren't a band in the eighties. Lillian Axe's contribution is "Diana."



"The World Stopped Turning" has an epic feel to it that is dominated by acoustic guitars and top-notch vocals. The track is delivered through various emotional changes. If your toe doesn't tap to the opening riff of "My Number," then you must be dead. The song itself recalls some of the great sleaze rock of the 80s. It's more great riffage on "Fools Paradise." This one is sure to get you moving as well.



The Bad

I swear to God that "Vision in the Night" has a slightly altered riff than "Inside Out". "Diana" has to be the worst tribute ballad I've ever heard. I hope no one in the band married her. I would have liked to have seen separate album notes for each release, not the same ones.



The Verdict

Is Lillian Axe the most under-rated melodic metal band? Maybe, but I would steer more in the direction that they were the most over-looked band of that era. Lillian Axe had everything all the "it" bands of the late 80s and early 90s had (killer riffs, smooth rhythms, melodic vocals); they we're certainly better than some of them too. I think what the group might have been missing, was a gimmick, a over-the-top sappy ballad, or that gimmicky anthem track. Of course those things were just that...a ploy to rope you in.



Lillian Axe had real talent, but sadly peaked at a time where talent wasn't really taken into consideration. You had to have the look or the sound. Once you're put in a particular group, you're stuck there, no matter how different you are. Kind of like how Queensryche and Def Leppard are lumped in with hair metal bands.



Lillian Axe's debut is heavy on melody and catchiness, but does show signs of a band still trying to improve; especially with their lyrics. The album also sounds a lot like Ratt thanks to producer Robbin Crosby, but without the awful vocals. Love + War shows signs of improvement. The band chooses to up the guitar quotient, and it works for them. The melodies are still there and stronger than ever. If you long for the good old days of melodic metal, and already have your favorites in tow, check out Lillian Axe for something great and something new that you probably missed the first time around.



I also recommend their 2002 live album. It's a masterpiece. You can also hear the improvements on their early work."