It’s hard to believe that nearly 3 years have passed by since Sweden's Crazy Lixx debuted with their superfantastic debut album ‘Loud Minority’ in late 2007. As much as that album slotted the band right in amongst the modern Swedish sleaze-glam frontier comprising the likes of Hardcore Superstar, Gemini 5, Vains of Jenna and Crashdiet.....it was also as much a throwback to the cocksure youthful rock delivered by the likes of Warrant and Skid Row in their prime.  A few years on and plentiful touring under their belt with guitarist Andy Dawson replacing original guitarist Vic Zino (who left in 2008 to join Hardcore Superstar), sees the band return with ‘New Religion’ on THE label Frontiers Records.  Reading the press release for the album, lead singer Danny Rexon is quoted as saying "we set out with one goal, and that was to beat the living s**t out of “Loud Minority” with these new songs, and if you ask me, we've beaten it black and blue". Now that's some bold claims right there Danny, so just how did the band go?

Well, after having lived with this album now for a good few weeks, I have to say the boys have certainly delivered on that promise. But....on the first few spins you could be forgiven for not immediately (and I do emphasis immediately) hearing those instant anthems such as ‘Dr Hollywood’, "Make Ends Meet" or ‘Heroes Are Forever’ that ‘Loud Minority’ delivered.  But let me make it clear, ‘New Religion’ is a much, much stronger album overall with every song being superior to those on ‘Loud Minority’ save for the three songs just mentioned! 

‘Rock And A Hard Place’ opens the album and with production again courtesy of Chris Laney, you can be sure of one thing and that's a massive arena rock sound with monster gang backing vocals reminding of a cross between Mutt Lange's most famous work and Kane Roberts killer ‘Saints and Sinners’ album which was produced by none other than ‘Sir Arthur Payson’ aka Desmond Child.  ‘My Medicine (R.O.C.K)’ with it's ‘Unskinny Bop’ styled riffery and ‘Lets Get Rocked’ type breakdown is an honest attempt at a stadium rock anthem dedicated to the virtues of rock n roll, but this is not your usual balls to the wall Crazy Lixx anthem, this one is driven by acoustic guitars in the pre chorus!!

‘21 Till I Die’ is where the album shifts up a gear, a track that is destined to become a live and fan favourite...this is one fist pumping ANTHEM of rebellion if I have ever heard one.  I also have to make special mention of the awesome drumming on this track courtesy of Joey Cirera.  The keyboard drenched ‘Blame It On Love’ sees the band heading into a much more melodic/AOR direction ala Sweden's greatest band at the moment H.E.A.T, with the Crazy Lixx boys delivering the goods and then some.  This song is smokin' with awesome guitar work courtesy of Andy Dawson, some great restrained vocals in the verses topped off with one of the bands catchiest chorus’s ever.

The moody and brooding ‘Children Of The Cross’ showcases Danny Rexon's development as a songwriter and lyricist, a song covering child abuse mixed with religion "love taken, god forsaken, failed by the one they relied on, they are they children of the cross".  Remember what I said before about this album lacking the IMMEDIATE anthems upon first listen.  Well this track is a prime example...give this track the repeated listens that it begs for and then maybe you too would also go as far as saying this is very close to being the ultimate Crazy Lixx song.  It’s going to take some cracking songs to oust this from my Top 10 songs of the year and it’s only February.....

Snapping us back to reality is the one-two punch of ‘Witching Hour’ and ‘Lock Up Your Daughter’, which are the rocking anthems the band is best known for, followed by the knockout blow of ‘She's Mine‘  one of those instantly fun rock songs, with an 80's rock guitar intro that’s reminiscent of a cross between The Cars, Rick Springfield and Bryan Adams.  With lines like "everybody's want's a piece of my candy, all the boys want to go for a ride"...you know what to expect with this song, but did you expect a rollicking piano and horn section?? 

Now we all love a great "cigarette lighter love song" don't we....and ‘What Of Our Love’ is an absolute monster.  A collaboration between chief songwriter Danny Rexon and guitarist Andy Dawson, this heart wrenching ballad does not mess with the tried and tested power ballad winning formula, but why should it.  If this was the 80‘s, then this would be Top 10 material without a doubt.  The rocker ‘Voodoo Woman‘ closes off the album, but by this stage the band has more than delivered on it’s promise to beat the living shit out of ‘Loud Minority’ and this track only really serves to rub further salt into the wounds.

With the major label backing of Frontiers Records and delivering a killer album it seems that 2010 is the year Crazy Lixx will stamp their authority on the hard rock scene worldwide.  ‘All you need is, all you need is, a little R.O.C.K........’ New Religion’  is my medicine people and maybe it could be yours too?

* Check out our interview with Crazy Lixx guitarist Andy Dawson right here!