Lynch Mob
Revolution

July 2003
Released: 2003, Deadline
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: JP

It is extremely rare that a band will go back and re-record old tunes. I can only think of a very few times in the history of heavy metal. The Lynch Mob have made this ballsy move for what seems to be a number of reasons. In the liner notes they claim that they wanted to add a new dimension to rework but not eliminate the past. I don’t fully understand the sentiment myself and the whole thing has this very slight taste of being a shot at Don Dokken. I’m NOT picking sides in the eternal feud between the two talented artists. However, it seems odd and very mildly distasteful to go and try to change the past instead of accepting it and dealing with it. Having said that, only four of the thirteen cuts here are Dokken tunes that are re-done, the rest being Lynch Mob material. BUT if Lynch Mob was supposed to be a heavier, darker project (once George left Dokken) AND he had full creative control, why claim you were unhappy and redo it again? I just don’t get it.



Analysis aside, this CD kicks a large amount of Gluteus Maximus! The whole thing is very well done. For those of you who haven’t followed this is Lynch Mob’s sixth release or maybe seventh as supposedly there is another rare Christmas EP floating around out there. The band now consists of Lynch, Mason, Esposito, and new drummer Fro. Original vocalist Oni Logan was in again and then out again.



Deadline spared little expense, as the presentation is gorgeous. The disc comes in a slipcase with a poster and a guitar pick, full lyrics, photos, liner notes and a long essay by George explaining his point of view on his musical legacy. The production is also very modern and heavy adding a new element to very familiar tunes.



Remake CD’s while rare can be hit or miss and this is a bulls-eye. Wait until you hear the lead off cut, ‘Tooth and Nail’! The difference between this and the original are night and day, in part because of the stellar vocal performance of Mason. The other Dokken tune that had a major reworking was ‘Kiss of Death’ which is now heavier, darker and slower almost to the point of being a different song altogether. As I said earlier it is odd to remake your own songs from the Lynch Mob era. Why re-work four tunes from the self-titled 1992 CD when you have three-quarters of that line-up? However it is neat to hear Mason sing the Logan songs from WICKED SENSATION. There is a tune called ‘Relax’ which I do not recognize at all!



One of the stated goals in the intro essay was to jumpstart the band and I sincerely hope that REVOLUTION will re-introduce this great band to a new generation and delight the old die-hard fans like me. My reservation and critical analysis aside these are great songs redone tuned up for a heavier, darker modern age, but with tons of guitar and it works on every level. A brave move and the band pulled it off. I’m looking forward to a new studio CD! Visit http://www.georgelynch.com