Page 29 - ISSUE 13

PAGE 29
ROCKNATION ISSUE 13
CD S.E.X. DEPARTMENT’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll music. Equal the Opener “ Material Life
Suicide” is the follow up to their debut “Self
City” with its unbelievable Backing choirs
Titled” CD that received rave reviews in the
and a number unity hit Refrain shows
REVIEWS glam scene in 2007. S.E.X. DEPARTMENT where the hammer hangs. A small crude
recruited Pedro Ferreira the famed
broadside gets the listener with the second
producer of the multi platinum
TRACK to hear. On “ Pc. John `s Asylum”
THE DARKNESS. The album was
recorded at the world famous Chapel the Strophe is “ nearly exactly the same
sung like Journey `s; Who `s Crying Now”.
Studios in Lincolnshire, UK (Napalm Death, That is brazen. And escapes none notices
The Darkness, Simply Minds to name but a you, me, haha. Perhaps everyone will not
few). S.E.X. DEPARTMENT have managed joyfully join in however I to hold the level of
to maintain that very Glam sound from their the 80’s-annual TRACKs decently highly
debut (similar to early Motley Crue if I had however not world class. Toward end of the
to describe it) just developed it a little more, album TRACKs fall as “ Lion `s Den” and “
LIZHARD allowing the songs to just grow a little. Leave It Behind” , singing-technically by the
The 9 tracks on offer here are pure glam
“Lizhard” gold, it’s like stepping back in time to the raster. No notion which with the Shouter
Bjorn Westum of the trio passed, because
Perris Records late 80’s, brilliant. by sections I thought another singer would
Lizhard were originally formed as a One song that really stood out for me was have taken over. The remainder of the
“covers” band back in 1995, it didn’t take “Back In My Uniform”, a ballad with a real TRACKs is simply around lengths better.
long for this Italy-based foursome to bluesy introduction that managed to give You like steam turbine and gas turbine sys-
realize their true calling in creating their this hardened rocker goose bumps! To be tems Dolls, TNT, Treat, Europe, as well as
PAPA ROACH own original music. Now composed of honest for me it’s on the ballads that S.E.X. a mixture from Survivor with Jimi Jamison
drummer Ricky Lecchini, bassist Luca “Ze” DEPARTMENT really shine, the other bal-
and Night Ranger, then hears absolutely
“Metamorphosis” Moroni, guitarist Paul Mainetti and lead lad being “Memories of the Sea”. into the second Opus of the Skandinavier
Back in 2000, along came PAPA ROACH vocalist Luke Marsilio, Lizhard are poised The rest of the album is filled with mid tem- purely www.obliveon.de
in the running for top alternative act with to take their place in the European po glam tracks, one up tempo track in Ital-
their first release “Old Friends from Young hard-rock scene. They’ve crafted their art ian and a really bad disco remix of “S.E.X.
Years.” Then legions of fans started to on the road touring with the likes of Eric DEPARTMENT”. On a whole a throwaway
gather for what was to become their first
major label release “Infest” on Dreamworks Martin (ex Mr Big) and Twin Dragons, party album, great if you like that kind of
Records and the immediate impact on the receiving rave reviews along the way and thing, luckily I still do! www.glitzine.net
music scene took a jolt to the system as tuning up their songs for this their debut
it went platinum three times over and put release. Despite some pretty unoriginal
them on the top of the charts… but this song titles like “Angel”, “Bad To The Bone”,
was not enough! The band pounded the and “I Cry For You”, Lizhard managed to
pavement by nonstop touring and PAPA WINTER PARADE
ROACH landed many accolades an their deliver some great cool classic rock blend- “Two”
way to superstar status. Today in 2009, ed with a great Bluesy groove, and some
their sixth release “Metamorphosis” is great riffs, but it’s lead vocalist Luke Mar- Perris Records
already on the rise as the band heads out silio who really steals the spot light here… AOR fan ears up. Times again its
once again on yet another tour. Checking almost sounding like a cross between Joey expertise proved Perris records and a
out the new tunes, the opening track “Days Tempest with a little Don Dokken thrown in great Schmankerl discovered. But to the
Of War” that has the feel of a live stage
performance. You can’t deny the tone of for good measure. Nowhere is this more
“Metamorphosis” which continues on with apparent than on hard rockers like “Let
a lot of that same “live” feel through out the The Good Times Roll”, “My Wild Side”, and
release. Jacoby Shaddix is simply amazing “Devil’s Highway”. Although Lizhard excel
as a front man and possesses some of the at the great harder edged driven tracks it
best vocals in rock today. These boys write was when though show their subtle side on
hooked filled lyrics that get you singing
along and combine it with destroying guitar the acoustic numbers like “Diamond”,
solos that’ll have you playing one mean “Angel” (another stand-out ballad with a
air-guitar before you know it. If ya wanna nice, soothing arrangement complimented
“bump and grind,” take a listen to “I Almost by a powerful chorus and some harmonica
Told You That I Loved You.” A little volatile accents), and my absolute favourite track
on the ego front but hey, it’s time to turn on the CD “I Cry For You”, which will find
the table for a change. Check out the lyrics
on this one women! Maybe it’ll teach ya to you having flashbacks of all those great,
stop fucking with guys heads! Then there’s late-80’s power ballads ala bands like
the hit maker “Lifeline.” it’s already on the Europe, Firehouse or Poison. If you like
radio and already on the top of rotations your rock with a bluesy, classic but
worldwide. Is there any sense in going contemporary sound then Lizhard are for
further into “Lifeline?” Plain and simple… it you! Highly recommended.Rating 10/10
kicks ass!!! If you want to get a sentimental
feel of howsome people are thinking, you www.glitzine.net
really have to listen to the lyrics. Ok, PAPA
ROACH are superstars and make great
music but they also have feelings and the
lyrics tell you that. “Had Enough” tells it like
it is, another boy being shot dead coming
home in a body bag as his mother cries…
it’s time for the violence to end! What I re-
ally like about “Metamorphosis” is that no
matter if the tune is soft or they hit you with
some acoustics like on “March Out of the
Darkness” or shredding tunes like “Into The
Light,” once that chorus hits… the songs
explode! I mean, these guys are on top of
their game with the new release and this is
a must add to your collection. Just check
the fucking guitar riffs on “Into The Light.”
All I can say is… damn, Jerry Horton!
“Nights of Love” is another hit maker that
I can see making its way up the charts. S.E.X. DEPARTMENT
Good sing-a-long tune that the kiddies will
like. Then ending the disc is the hard “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide”
driving “State Of Emergency” … a fast
track that says it all. The world is in a “State Perris Records
Of Emergency!” Great release once again Italy’s glam sleaze rockers S.E.X.
from PAPA ROACH! ROCKEYEZ.COM DEPARTMENT are BACK!!!