Lillian Axe
Deep Red Shadows

August 2010
Released: 2010, Love and War Records
Rating: 3.0/5
Reviewer: Robert Williams

Lillian Axe have returned with a new record DEEP RED SHADOWS and a new vocalist in tow in the form of ex Metal Church frontman Ronny Monroe. DEEP RED SHADOWS being the final record with now former vocalist Derrick LeFevre.



"Under The Same Moon" bridges modern hard rock with a brisk folky gallop as cinematic keyboards and flashy cymbal work add texture to an otherwise gothic operatic rock landscape. "47 Ways To Die" is a radio friendly track with lead off single ambitions, acoustic rhythm guitar complemented by electric guitar lead work and melodic vocals. "A Minute of Years" recalls Abbey Road era Beatle's via "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" with it's haunting clean guitar passages before cascading into a more heavy and distorted chorus. So far nothing on this record echos Lillian Axes' eighties musical output, replacing standard party rockers with a more mature and dramatic sounding record, somewhat reminiscent of later Savatage. From "Nobody Knows" through the ending title track, DEEP RED SHADOWS ups the ante in the acoustic ballad department, making the second half of this disc somewhat of a snoozefest.



DEEP RED SHADOWS is a particularly moody collection of tunes from a seasoned bunch of New Orleans hard rockers. On first listen this comes off being a little too mellow for my tastes, but provided the right atmosphere could potentially become a grower. In the meantime, I'll look forward to some new material with Ronny Munroe on vocals.