BRITISH LION: British Lion (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

It was first a big surprise at the beginning of the summer, then a long wait for Sir Steve Harris fans. Indeed, the bass player, father of the iron maiden to whom he devoted his whole life and energy, surprised the Metal world by releasing his first solo album, when it was no longer expected at all. Because we might as well admit it right away, even if the compositions are all co-written with singer Taylor and guitarist Hawkins and Steve presents his project as a real band effort, his influence is more than present on this "British Lion". Far from his favourite playground, Harris (and his band) offers a Rock, sometimes hard, sometimes melodic, in which we feel influences like the Bad Company or even UFO in an English Rock genre from the 70's and others more modern.

To be completely honest, the record starts rather badly. 'This Is My God' and 'Lost Worlds' evoke a more modern Rock in the guitars and the structure but the sound is very messy and they suffer from Kevin Shirley's inappropriate mixing. Saturated guitars, cardboard drums, vocals drowned, and to top it all off, a bass player who pushes his instrument twice as hard as the others to show who's the boss here.

Fortunately, things will improve with the next triplet. Karma Killer', a solid track with an incisive riff, quickly takes the lead, as does the very good chorus of 'Us Against The World' with Maidenian accents and a catchy intro (drums and beautiful melody). The keyboard provides a certain atmosphere, the chorus is memorable (once again Taylor's voice gives a nice colour to the whole) and the band's potential is finally felt, both in composition and interpretation.

The good moments follow one another with a certain liveliness, like 'The Chosen Ones', positive and luminous (whose duration maintains the pleasure), carried by a bass line evoking The Who and endowed with a very good chorus, or 'A World Without Heaven' with a very progressive structure and riff and whose vintage guitar interventions on the long instrumental part hit the bull's eye. 'Eyes Of The Young', with its Melodic Rock atmosphere, a nice bass line (once again) and a comfortable Taylor (once again), is another success for the band. Let's add to make the tour, a 'Judas', colder with a hammering refrain and revealing a darker performance of Taylor (the brutal break in the middle of the title gives way to an acoustic guitar of the most beautiful effect and delights us until the end), and a heavier 'These Are The Hands', literally and figuratively, but with a melody always very present. 'The Lesson', as brave as his little brothers, isn't only there for the style or the filling and concludes this first try with touching string arrangements.

Despite a false start, "British Lion" will be able to offer you some good, even very good moments of music. But don't think you will here find here an Iron Maiden's record, at the risk of being quite disappointed. According to Steve Harris, a sequel to this album would already be envisaged in the years to come. We'll be there... - Official website

BRITISH LION

BRITISH LION

EMI

HARD ROCK