Review: LION’S SHARE – “Dark Hours”

Lion’s Share – “Dark Hours”
released March 10, 2009 by Blistering Records

High-octane Swedish power metal with a penchant for the darkness.  The band’s sixth album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Symphony X, Paradise Lost) at Fascination Street, and along with founding guitarist Lars Chriss, features the same bassist and vocalist as the last album, Emotional Coma.  Often reminiscent of trad metal stalwarts like Dio, with viciousness mitigated by strong, memorable melodies accented by subtle guitar and drum fills that serve their songs well.  They even experiment with keyboards (scattered throughout, but heavily in 3, 5) and occasionally slow the tempo (4) to mix things around.  There’s a guest appearance by Symphony X guitarist Mike Romeo (solo on “Behind The Curtain”).

FCC OK
Try 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10

01. Judas Must Die
02. Phantom Rider
03. Demon In Your Mind
04. Heavy Cross To Bear
05. The Bottomless Pit
06. Full Metal Jacket
07. The Presidio 27
08. Barker Ranch
09. Napalm Nights
10. Space Scam
11. Behind The Curtain
12. King Of All The Kings (digipack bonus)
13. Judas Must Die (video) (digipack bonus)
14. Behind-The-Scenes Footage (video)(digipack bonus)

Rating: