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LIEGE LORD Feature
Compiled by EvilG in 1999
Liege Lord has been defunct since 1989 but two of their
CD's, "Burn To My Touch" and "Master Control", have
recently been re-released by Metal Blade Records.
As you can imagine this stuff does not sound like 90's metal - they
have more in common with the power metal bands that seem to be all the
rage outside of North America. In fact, the impetuous for the re-release
of these two CD's came from Europe. It's not not a problem that Liege
Lord sound 80's. Don't think about cheesy 80's or glam metal here cause
they don't fit that cliche at all. Out of their two re-released
CD's, by far the best one was their last "Master Control" -
recorded in 1988. One of it's main highpoints is the cover of the
Rainbow classic "Kill The King." The rest of the CD is
somewhat like what Overkill sounded like in the late 80's - raw and
thrashy only with power metal overtones. It's kinda cool that you can
hear an Overkill influence in the music and vocals because Liege Lord
vocalist, Joseph Comeau, now performs guitar and backing vocals for
Overkill!!!! Joe's vocals however, reveal a much wider range and
smoother voice than Blitz (there's nothing wrong with Blitz's vocals
though!!). Also helping set Liege Lord above the pack is lead guitarist
Paul Nelson, who can shred with the best of them!!! How Joe Comeau went
from lead vocals to Overkill guitarist I don't know but we'll update you
that piece of information ASAP.
The CD's:
| Burn
To My Touch |
Master
Control |
|
1987
|
1988
|
A Brief History
Liege Lord's recording career began in June 1984 with the release of
Freedom's Rise on French labeled Black Dragon Records. This record found
them on their way into every major American guitar and metal magazine,
which paved the way to their European conquest.
The Liege Lord line up at the time was Matt Vinci (bass), Tony
Truglio (guitar), Frank Cortese (drums) and Andy Michaud (singer) and
Pete McCarthy (2nd guitar). Pete was soon to leave the band during that
time which led to the induction of guitarist Paul Nelson (former Steve
Vai student).
The band was now drawing notice from US label Metal Blade which
signed them and subsequently released Burn to my Touch. This Album would
be the one responsible for Liege Lords growing popularity. Liege
Lord was soon to become a metal band to be reckoned with. Many of the
young headbangers who swore fealty to Liege Lord later infused their own
bands with that influence which helped to preserve the Power Metal
tradition in Europe more so than in the states. Terms such as speed
metal, thrash, power metal, were all in their infant stages trying to
carve their own niche in this uncategorized musical time. To get a true
feel for what it was like at that time you have to imagine yourself
having an album released in the US, great press in Europe and absolutely
no clubs to play your music. The only way to get your music out was
through Fanzines, College Radio ,Word of Mouth. Again, the only place to
make & work was in NYC at a club called Lamour’s, which today is
to be considered one of the premier showcases for the sound of that
time, spawning the attention to such bands as Metallica, Anthrax, Raven,
Overkill, Nuclear Assault, Hades, Helloween, Slayer, Manowar, Carnivore,
and the list goes an on.
Liege Lord's popularity was now growing especially in the US, on
College Radio and press in such magazines as Hit Parader, Cream and
Guitar World to name a few. Along with sharing the stage up and down the
East Coast with bands such as Anthrax, Overkill, Savatage, Fates
Warning, Megadeth, Raven, Avenger, Exodus, Malice, Candlemass. It was at
this time that Liege Lord’s fans were growing world wide. Yet another
line–up was to emerge in 1988 with the introduction of Joe
Comeau as Liege Lord’s final frontman. the first album was to be
released on vinyl as well as CD. This was also the year of what is
considered to be their greatest release: Master Control. Recorded at
Carriage House Recording Studio and produced by Terry Date (Pantera).
Master Control spawned a tour covering all of the United States as
well as a shorter tour with Candlemass up and down the East Coast.
Master Control spawned a tour which found Liege Lord playing with the
likes of Anthrax, Savatage, Fates Warning, Overkill, Flotsam &
Jetsam, Candlemass, Anvil and Raven to name a few. Unfortunately at the
time of Liege Lord’s greatest success the music that Liege Lord and
many other bands had created would spin out of control, leading many of
it’s originators left behind. Independent labels of the time which
once handled 30-40 bands were also struggling with this change. The
90’s had arrived and it was time for Metal to go back into hiding.
Liege Lord disbanded in 1989 leaving us with 3 albums now considered to
be 3 of the underground's most sought after collectable CD’s. Their
sound flirts with speed, thrash metal and power metal but has complex,
melodic qualities as well. It’s ironic that it would be Europe once
again that would coax the re-release of both Burn & Master only 10
years after their original release.
Where Are They Now???
We wondered what the Liege Lord members have been up to since the
bands demise. Here's what they are all doing, according to Paul and Joe.
Paul Nelson:
"I've been very busy! Since '89 I did several Namm-shows in the
states doing endorsement clinics with George Lynch, Vivian Cambell,
Bruce Kulick to name a few. I recorded on a gold album in Portugal,
played with Tower of Powers lead singer Tommy Bose for some time, just
recorded on a CD in Norway and I'm currently studying with Steve Khan
(Steely Dan). As well as putting the finishing touches on my own
solo-project entitled : "Vinyl Signs". More on >this
later."
Joe Comeau:
"I used to always play guitar since I started playing music.
Overkill was a fan of my band Ramrod in which I sing and play guitar and
they needed two guitar-players. They asked myself and Sebastian Marino
to join. Ramrod is still together and this is how I pursue my lead
vocals."
Matt Vinci:
Is a photographer for an East-coast news-paper.
Frank Cortese:
Actor!
Tony Truglio:
Is a session guitar-player.
Andy Michaud:
Whereabouts unknown...
When I asked Paul and Joe about the possibility of a Liege Lord
reunion he had this to say. "Reunion? It seems to be getting closer
and closer every day..."
Let's hope they reform...
Official
Webpage
LIEGE LORD
PO BOX 3207
STAMFORD CT 06905-0207