I had to go through my vinyl record collection to dug out the LIZZY BORDEN album and give them at least one additional spin before writing down my thoughts about Appointment With Death. This album comes after Deal With The Devil that saw the light of the day 7 years ago. I have to confess that I did not pay attention to that release because I was too skeptic about LIZZY BORDEN's return after the 11 years of dicsographic silence.
This band was formed in the 80s under a moniker that was inspired by the tragic events that took place in New England in 1892; Lizzie Borden was accused for murdering her father and her step mother by slaying them with an axe. Eventually, Lizzy was acquitted by the jury and the case remains unsolved creating a legacy that was reproduced through movies, books, comics and of course music. Well, enough with the historical background; let me introduce to you the latest treat from this famous band.
The bass intro followed by some catchy guitar riffs open the album with the mid tempo and groovy Abnormal. It's amazing that this band still sounds like it did during the 80s when most of the American band made their debut appearance in one of the legendary Metal Massacre compilations. The homonymous track is even more classic with Lizzy singing ...welcome to the kingdom of the dead... during the chorus. As usual, this is a concept album and as you've probably noticed the lyrical content deals with death and everything that happens as you approach him. The staccato rhythm of Live Forever, the fast guitar legato in Bloody Tears or the ballad-like Under Your Skin are some of the album's highlights. I can surely say that this album is better than the previous and definitely carries the theatrical atmosphere that LIZZY BORDEN usually implements in every live performance. One thing that I really enjoy me is the very good almost impressive guitar work that also comprises some old-school MAIDEN-esque twin riffing (even though  there is one guitarist) beside the trademark American sound during the catchy chorus and melodies. Lizzy's distinct voice is still powerful and melodic even though the years that passed made him too lower his pitch a little bit.
Well, apart from the fact that this album will definitely satisfy all of LIZZY BORDEN's die-hard hard it will be an excellent excuse for the young metalheads to make an acquaintance with a most important (at least I think it is) band.