(AFM Records) Total Time: 45:39
At last, after a six-year break, the Swedish heavy metallers LION’S SHARE break their silence and return with their finest effort to date, “Emotional Coma”. They were no few those who hastened to believe that the band wouldn’t release a new album, although during this period of absence, LION’S SHARE took part in numerous gigs, (including the support for Saxon and the participation in “Monsters Of Millennium”, together with Manowar, Dio and Motorhead around Scandinavia in 2000).
“Emotional Coma’ is the first “official” appearance of Patrik Johansson on vocals (ex-Astral Doors) and Sampo Axelsson on bass guitar (ex-Glen Hughes), even though those two, were already members of the band since 2003. The first thing you notice in the album is the lack of keyboards, big background vocals and the progressive stuff that characterized the previous releases. The band has returned with modern-sounding, fresh heavy metal ideas, more up-tempo and energetic than ever. Literally speaking, the album is a mine of riffs, proving that the mastermind of the band, guitarist Lars Chriss is running a particularly productive period. Each track is surrounded by a great atmosphere from good old times, particularly influenced by Ronnie James Dio, Savatage and Megadeth (at times). What really amazed me, is Patrik’s wonderful vocals. At times, I’d swear that Ronnie James Dio or Jon Oliva are featuring the album, (I’m serious). Furthermore, musicians like Bruce Kulick (Kiss), Glen Drover (Megadeth) and Mats Leven (Ynwgie Malmsteen, Therion) have given the band their stamp of approval by making guest appearances on “Emotional Coma”. I should not forget to mention the great production that is fitting like a glove to the whole situation.
After four successful releases, LION’S SHARE finally managed to resurrect from their ashes and are ready to make their strongest impact with what is undoubtedly the most focused effort in their career. If you are really keen on qualitative, modern heavy metal, this album will definitely haunt your cd-player for weeks.
