Lizzy Borden Appointment With Death
Metal Blade Records
Rating: B+
Lizzy Borden swings
the axe once again on Appointment With
Death, a metal album steeped in death
yet not death metal.
Confused? Don't be,
because this is straight-ahead,
fists-in-the-air, anthemic rock. Ringmaster
Lizzy once again assembles a killer lineup
and some stellar guest players.
First, the concept.
Sure, death has been done to ... um, death,
since metal's inception. But despite the
disc's central theme, listeners can enjoy
each song oblivious to the dark theme. This
isn't Bon Jovi, but neither is it Obituary.
Rather, Appointment With Death bridges
the gap between Dokken and Tad Morose,
gothic, melodic metal leavened with
songwriting smarts and genuine pop hooks.
"Abnormal" sets the
bar high, with guitar harmonies and vocal
histrionics inviting listeners along for the
ride. As the first of many guest musicians,
Trivium's Corey Beaulieu shreds a mean
guitar. But he doesn't stand out. Why
recruit Beaulieu when Ira Black's already in
the band?
Those craving
addictive choruses and great vocal
arrangements fare better with "Live Forever"
and "Somthin's Crawlin," the former a
headbanging treat, and the latter a
mischievous ride featuring Eric Rutan! Yep,
death metal's go-to guy impresses with licks
that fit music far more accessible than
stuff normally associated with the former
Morbid Angel madman.
Not enamored with
Florida death metal? Then check out "The
Death of Love" and "The Darker Side." With
respective appearances by George Lynch and
Dave Meniketti, the tunes come alive (sorry,
Lizzy, didn't mean to undermine the death
theme!) Lynch's seductive riffing joins a
churning rhythm, rising like a cobra from a
wicker basket. At first listen, his riffs
seem misplaced and disconnected from the
song, like some phoned-in — or e-filed —
contribution. But repeated listening
disproves that initial impression, because
the former Dokken virtuoso lends killer
character to an already impressive tune.
Y&T's Meniketti seems
equally suited for "The Darker Side," a
slower number balancing piano with Lizzy's
banshee wail. It's emotional stuff, with
Meniketti delivering the trademark passion
that made "Rescue Me," "Forever" and other
vintage Y&T tunes classics.
So there you have it,
arguably the best Lizzy Borden music since Visual
Lies. Traditional metal fans could do
worse than snagging Appointment With
Death or the recently re-released Visual
Lies.
