Lizzy Borden: Master Of Disguise – Special Edition

In 1989 the band Lizzy Borden would release Master Of Disguise, quite possibly the best recording of their career. It was an album loaded with anthems from a band that had more a cult level following than anything but above it all the quality of the music and song writing on this release rose far above the number of their devout following. The Special Edition comes to us as part of Metal Blade's 25th Anniversary where as part of the celebration certain pivotal albums from the labels history have been re-issued. This remaster includes the original album plus two bonus tracks and a DVD that focuses on "The Making Of MOD". As a band, Lizzy was one that was a powerful Metal unit but they also had shock-laced showmanship that when the two were tied together the audience would get tasty riffs and awesome tunes. As an album, this has an incredible level of appeal to it from the very beginning. It's not a concept yet it seems to be tied across a similar theme with many of the tunes working well in the sequence they play. The title track "Master Of Disguise" has an almost regal quality to it when the chorus hits and when you hear "Phantoms" you will wonder how this particular track didn't gain a larger level of radio play at the time of the initial release. In my opinion this song stood as strong as anything that was coming out of Hollywood and selling in the millions. The pre-requisite Power Ballad is presented on "Never Too Young" and I defy you not to sing along with this one and the guys show they can be heavy with ease on "Be One Of Us" (a tune geared to the Lost Boys if I read the lyrics correctly). The original album ended with the rousing track "We Got The Power" and its one great track loaded with cool riffs and some awesome harmonies. A perfect closer when it comes down to it, but now on the remaster we get two bonus tracks that were never released. One is a dark and almost Gothic sounding "Vampires Kiss", and the other simply called "The Orchestra". When used as a closer this flourishing piece works, but I think it might have also served well as the opening for the album. The diversity and dynamics on the piece as a whole shows that Lizzy Borden was stronger in the musicianship area than many of their Peers of the time. They include a bonus DVD which has a fun documentary of the guys filmed at the time they were recording the release. You see them onstage for a number and watch all the in-studio goofing and work. Remastered and encased in a slip-cased package this is the perfect way to celebrate a band that was larger than life on stage, in heart and deserving more acclaim for their accomplishments than the decade gave. Lizzy Borden took an axe ……. and now dear readers it is your turn to face it.

The Players: Lizzy (vocals), Joey Scott (drums), David Michael Phillips (lead/rhythm guitar), Ronnie Jude (lead/rhythm guitar), Michael Davis (bass), Joey Vera (bass), Mike Razzatti (guitars), Elliot Solomon (keyboards), William Kidd (keys), Tim Stithem (percussion).

Track Listing
1. Master Of Disguise
2. One False Move
3. Love Is A Crime
4. Sins Of The Flesh
5. Phantoms
6. Never Too Young
7. Be One Of Us
8. Psychodrama
9. Waiting In The Wings
10. Roll Over And Play Dead
11. Under The Rose
12. Vampires Kiss – bonus
13. The Orchestra - bonus

Added: April 19th 2007
Reviewer: Ken Pierce
Score:
Related Link: Lizzy Borden Website
Hits: 3533
Language: english

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