For those that aren't into what is called US Metal, a short description: the fusion of the musical weight of Heavy Metal with the hooks inherited by 70's North American Hard Rock, and the musical aesthetics of JUDAS PRIEST. But many bands during the 80's used this formula in a personal way, names as OMEN, THE RODS (one of the pioneers), ATTACKER, MALICE and many others. But those who usually read my reviews will remind that a common name that I write about US Metal is from LIZZY BORDEN. It's because they are one of the bands that embodies in the best possible the concept of US Metal. And for those that still don't know their work, maybe "Best of Lizzy Borden, Vol. 2" can be a nice chance to do such thing.

Their music is, as told above, an energetic, hooking and abrasive form of US Metal, done with excellent charming melodies and choruses, but always with a personal and strong personality. And this release has songs from the band's releases since "Best of Lizzy Borden, Vol. 1" (1994) (then, you'll find songs from 2000's "Deal with the Devil", 2007's "Appointment with Death", and 2018's "My Midnight Things"), but the same energy and hooks from the 80's are presented here. So enjoy it as many as you can!

This compilation was digitally remastered by the hands of Tom Baker (who worked previously with David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Tom Petty), so the songs seems to be a part of the same release (without those 'shifts' caused by the time and differences on the recording sessions), with a clean, heavy and defined sonority. Well, from veterans like them, it's nothing more than what they always do (they're exigent when recording their albums, it must be said).

Well, LIZZY BORDEN's music speaks for itself, but for those that aren't into the band's music (shame on you all), "My Midnight Things" (a very energetic song filled with many melodic hooks), "Long May They Haunt Us" (a commercial song, something that is usual for them, but the heavy rhythm of bass guitar and drums is really good), "Tomorrow Never Comes" (this is North American Heavy Metal on its deeper essence, crushing and abrasive, but with excellent melodies and great guitars), their version for BLUE ÖYSTER CULT (one of the essential roots for US Metal) song "(This Ain't) The Summer of Love" (here on a Metal version that keeps the melodic Hard Rock appeal of the original song, but with a massive modern weight), the melodic Horror appeal of "Lovin' You Is Murder" (a feature inherited from ALICE COOPER and KISS, but in a personal way, and what a catchy chorus), "The Scar Across My Heart" (a perfect blend between weight and accessible melodies), "We Only Come Out at Night" (a bitter and massive heavy weight song, with very good tempos and an horror aesthetics), and "Abnormal" are the ones indicated for the job. But don't dare to lose what is done on their personal versions for RAMONE's "Pet Sematary" and "Burnin' for You" (another hymn from BLUE ÖYSTER CULT).

Once more: if you don't know LIZZY BORDEN's work, "Best of Lizzy Borden, Vol. 2" is a fine opportunity for discovering this excellent band. If not, well, it seems that you're a fan of Pop boy bands...