The album is full of riffs. The album is packed with aggression; not the 'nu' one (thankfully!). The band breaks its silence after six years. The band's lineup is more than 50% 'updated'. The cover is futuristic but - at the same time - holds some mortal feeling. The production fits like a glove. The guest musicians are no less than familiar names in the Hard Rock/Heavy Metal circuit. The new label will simultaneously support this new work. The country stands (again) tall full of pride for its children. The band is LION'S SHARE, the new album is called Emotional Coma and - even for my sceptical ears - this may be their finest album up-to-date. It may be?
I would like to dig into Chriss' record collection; some phenomenal Hard 'n' Heavy albums may be lurking in there. He must have wasted zillions of hours listening to Metal guitars with blistering-yet-emotional riffs, while fair enough his curiosity for 'alien' atmosphere in Rock music would be (UK-wise???). The man's - again - stuffed with countless ideas, plus he seems rather angry and possessed by fury. Who knows why? Maybe it's the six-year break of LION'S SHARE, after the interesting Entrance CD back in 2001? A change of seasons, in other words. In the arms of AFM Records now, Chriss welcomes Patrik Johansson; a new member from 2003 but singing for the first time in a LION'S SHARE album, Johansson reminds us what a charismatic throat he possesses. His deeds with ASTRAL DOORS may be familiar to some; the Swedish cousin of Tony Martin and brother-in-law of Steve Grimmett, isn't he? (Note: tons of well known names have paraded through the LION'S SHARE camp all these years e.g. Axelsson has played with Glenn Hughes plus Evensand has credits with CHIMAIRA, SOILWORK and THERION; check the Net for more info).
Yes, Emotional Coma is the heaviest LION'S SHARE album till now. The guitar is spitting fire, at first (and second and third) sight; the riffs are real killers, plus the sound of both rhythm and lead parts is more than steel-blade-made. If you are a beloved fan of Dave Mustaine and Jeff Waters you will see the light, always bearing in mind the stuff played by Chriss is more Europe-orientated. Plus: the rhythm section is a solid ball of rock, providing the perfect background for the astounding Metal melodies to expose chaos and Metal madness. I would not easily believe LION'S SHARE have hardened their sound that much!
Patrik Johansson is an animal en-cage-d; eat this! His voice is spiteful, he upgrades - in relevance to the ASTRAL DOORS discs - his 'middle-pitched' parts plus he seems eager to sing both with fury and melody whenever he feels so. In a set of equally nice songs, the royalty of Cult Of Denial, The Arsonist, Emotional Coma (featuring MEGADETH's Glen Drover), The Edge Of The Razor (featuring ex-KISS's Bruce Kulick) and Soultaker stand a little bit up above. Not to forget, the album is wrapped up by a unique cover of the ANGEL WITCH hymn Sorcerers. Any objections?
The finest album by LION'S SHARE has just been released. Nuff 'said. Do yourself a favor and obtain it.