The bitch is back! Well, err, the bitch better known as Lillian. Who the heck is Lillian you ask? It’s Lillian Axe, the underrated, melodic hard rock band that returns with a vengeance on their new release, Sad Day On Planet Earth. A VERY strong improvement over their last release, Waters Rising, that seemed to be missing something, but still decent all the same.
Lillian Axe made their mark on the 80’s hard rock scene in 1988 with their self-titled debut that was produced by the late Robbin Crosby of Ratt. The single, “Dream Of A Lifetime” garnered little airplay, but enough to fuel the rock and roll train for their second album, Love & War which featured the MTV hit, “Show A Little Love.” Unfortunately, for Lillian Axe, they were lost in the shuffle with every other 80’s hard rock outfit due to lack of promotion and label support. A real shame as their material strengthened with each album due to continuous touring, true musicianship and excellent songwriting.
Poetic Justice and Psychoschitzophrenia followed, which in my opinion, are the best two albums to begin your journey into what Lillian Axe are all about. Fortunately for you, both of these albums are available on iTunes. If you’re already a fan, enough said. Poetic Justice contained the hit, “True Believer” and Psychoschitzophrenia didn’t have any hits per se, but it definitely is the pre-cursor to Sad Day On Planet Earth. The self-titled release and Love & War are available in some circles and worth seeking out. They also have an import of b-sides called, Fields Of Yesterday and a live CD called, Live 2002 that is definitely worth a listen. Recorded live in Houston, TX, the disc contains some of their hard to find material well produced and delivered raw.
Filled with catchy hooks for days and thought provoking lyrics that draw you in, Sad Day On Planet Earth’s fifteen tracks take you on a musical journey through the eyes of founding member, lead guitarist, songwriter and producer, Steve Blaze. Rounding out the band are the awesomely underrated lead vocalist, Derrick LeFevre; rhythm guitarist, Sam Poitevent; bass guitarist; Eric Morris and Ken Koudelka on drums. LeFerve replaced former vocalist Ron Taylor some time ago, but it’s irrelevant as he holds his own on this epic new release.
An instrumental track called “Cocoon” slowly kicks things off until the awesome and rocking, “MegaSlowFade” begins. This is one of the best tracks on the album in the same vein as “Deepfreeze” from Psychoschitzophrenia. Many other heavy hitters include, “Jesus Wept,” “Ignite” and “The Grand Scale Of Finality” which is another excellent hard rock gem. Other standouts include “Hibernate,” “Down Below The Ocean” and “Divine.”
There are also poignant moments that compliment the album as well. The title track and “Blood Raining Down On Her Wings” feature tender melodies and emotion Lillian Axe are known for. “Within Your Reach,” “Cold Day In Hell” and “Nocturnal Symphony” contain a lot of heart and commercial feel that could be all over radio, or if I dare to call it mainstream radio. Melodic mainstream perhaps? You be the judge. “Kill Me Again” is an old b-side that received a makeover and the moody, “Fire, Blood, The Earth & Sea” finishes the album with a knockout punch.
You can’t say these guys are standard fare as you hear such a familiar formulaic pattern and approach in much of the music today. With all due respect to those bands that I won’t mention here, Lillian Axe deserves to be placed among the popular heavy hitters. They are truly different, unique and worth checking out if you are open-minded when it comes to your musical tastes. Sad Day On Planet Earth is an honest slice of integrity filled melodic hard rock worthy of your collection. Download it on iTunes or order a copy from their website or from their label, Blistering Records - links above!
