Back in the mid-1980s, Lionheart became a sort of New Wave of British Heavy Metal “super group” featuring the likes of Dennis Stratton, Steve Mann, Rocky Newton et al. The band’s debut album from back then – Hot Tonight- being an under-rated classic of the genre.
The band reformed a couple or three years ago and put out a superb second album – Second Nature – in 2017. It was a fine return indeed.
Now in 2020 Lionheart release their third album – The Reality of Miracles – which in my opinion surpasses the first two albums and is a superb slab of high class melodic hard rock/metal written and performed expertly by a bunch of musicians with such a long pedigree.
Indeed – the CD booklet contains a sort of family tree/band connections pages which demonstrates that pedigree. Plucking a few out at random we have Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden, Praying Mantis) Steve Mann (Liar, Tytan, MSG), Rocky Newton (Girl, Stampede), Clive Edwards (Wild Horses, UFO) and Lee Small (Shy and others).
The songs are all immaculately written, arranged and performed. Mann’s production job is crystal clear too. Thirteen catchy cuts which “rock” with chunky riffs, big hooks and melodies, meaty guitar work where it matters, a precise rhythm section and Lee Small’s pipes powerful and clean.
Here’s a taster: Outlaws of the Western World:
Thine is the Kingdom sets an atmospheric opener with towering vocals from Small. High Plains Drifter following rocking it up a bit more.
The title track a slower “power ballad” style affair before the monstrous (and I mean that in a good way) hard hitting Five Tribes. A proper head knocker/foot tapper. Huge riff with the drums and bass driving it along apace.
Widows is in a similar style and another fine hard/melodic song. Kingdom of the East is majestic and sweeping with the lyrics referring to a tour out there.
The aforementioned Outlaws of the Western World slides in to two more tasty rockers in Overdrive and the First Man before the gentle Still it Rains on Planet Earth closes it all out very well.
With the Reality of Miracles, Lionheart show their class. You’ll be hard-pushed to find a better written and performed heavy/hard/melodic rock album this year – and we have the NWOBHM connections still going after four decades. What’s not to like?
>> LIONHEART THE REALITY OF MIRACLES ON AMAZON HERE <<
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