Italy and Hard Rock ('n' Roll): a tale that just wasn't close right in the previous years. Thankfully, due to the heyday of this specific blend the last couple of years (or more), bands like LIZHARD can find the way - via e.g. a record label - to expose their music in a more broad crowd. This does not mean that this Italians are rookies in the scene...
...since LIZHARD was formed in 1995, initially performing covers sets. If you check at the songslist above you may think this is a covers album (titles like Let The Good Time Roll, I Cry For You, Life In The Fast Lane, Bad To The Bone and Angel are shining references, huh!) but what we have here is LIZHARD's full-length debut. The cover artwork shall not grab you by the ballsraising high the anticipation but - in general - does deal with the inner concept.
So, what's the case? American 'boulevard' Hard Rock as built in the States in the 80s/mid-90s, with a strong touch of bluesin' Rock and some tension to call it 70s Rock at times. Marsilio's vocals are very good; he sounds confident, he lurks passionate melodies but can also act crazy were needed and - most of all? - he does not waste his time shining a party freak but in contrast he points back to the 'classic' Hard Rock concrete. A brief similarity would be something between mature Joy Tempest (EUROPE), Terry Ilous (XYZ) and Ray Gillen (BADLANDS, BLACK SABBATH, PHENOMENA).
The guitars are rollin' in good riffs, flawless vintage sound and some really impressive solos. The likes of BADLANDS, (some of) AEROSMITH/CINDERELLA or late EUROPE or Mr. BIG shall you recall here and there. The rhythm section is credited with a good performance, adding up to the - overall - nice try to expose an American sound that's not relevant to POISON's or WARRANT's or MOTLEY CRUE's 'party' stuff but more keen on some conscious hardrockin' music. But, all in all, does the band fail in providing the listener with 'sticking' hooks or not?
I think they kinda do, and that's the only major drawback I can come up with. Even if LIZHARD consists of skilled and spirited players, the songs are just good for taking them up to the major League of such bands. You'll entertain yourself with Lizhard, no objection, but I don't know how many times shall you deal with this specific album in the near (and so on) future.
P.S.: the cover take on EAGLE's patronizing Life In The Fast Line is really good.