(Power/Heavy Metal) [CD] Lord - Digital Lies (Japanese Edition) - 2013, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

To my knowledge LORD is a one-off specimen, indeed a very special band; I never managed to find such a similar band, stylistically speaking. Indeed their music a very rare melting pot of influences ranging from Thrash to a very melodic Metal, almost AOR, and even stretching gradually to the maximum to an exponential artistic success from album to album. I also praised many times their unique sound and their specific way of making kick-ass Power Metal as much as I complimented their huge individual instrumental technique, played with still a fresh eagerly, tons of finesse and invention: obviously Lord Tim Grose and the LORD guys are full of talent and class.

Their past albums were all more or less favorites of mine, and I was truly enthusiastic about their penultimate CD release, “Ascendence”, it figured proudly among my top 20 in 2007. Their last publication of 2010, “Return Of The Tyrant”, was a fine compilation with an incredibly courageous SYMPHONY X cover alongside with a smart rendition of the CUTTING CREW hit-single “I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight”, in fact it’s symbolic and the perfect illustration of the duality of that outcast Australian outfit, a truly one of a kind. This is genuine and singular band that can provide some amazing mid tempo tunes with huge harmonized backing vocals (“Walk Away”), occasional Thrashy Riffage and blast beat drumming (“Point Of View”), highly melodic 80’s Speed-Metal with rousing melody hooks (“The Last Encore”), harsh, very aggressive and rough vocals verses but also hi-pitched screams that leads to exceptionally smooth chorus (“Digital Lies” or “The Chalkboard Prophet”), always very comfortable in each genre with easy switching from multi layered Symphonic Metal cuts full of epic Keys ("Battle Of Venarium") to regular yet massive heaviness but also hyper-technical-axe-shredding-duel section sometimes in the same song.

Lyrically the whole album seems to be inspired by the dark aspect of human nature illustrated most of all by imaginary subject, yet however, from time to time also referring to real society problems, modern behavior and Lord Tim (ex-DUNGEON / BLACKENED ANGEL) even can teach us a trick or two about tolerance, compassion and respect.

Those Aussies are impressive in each and every part of the metallic spectrum “Betrayal Blind” or “Final Seconds” are more or less in the old-School DUNGEON straight ahead style, while “2D Person In A 3D World” is a more easy listening track wrapped in humor, they certainly improved their writing skills up a lot, adding a very solid cornerstone to their already strong potential arsenal.

The icing on the cake is the mind-blowing short self-indulgent shredding’ piece called “Because We Can” like a spit in the face to those who still believe that guitar soloing is useless and Underage.

My Australian edition contains a re-recorded version of the song "Footseps In The Sand" out of the 2005 debut album…Another clever ingenuity and an intelligent choice. Another ultra-recommended masterpiece, buy or buy it twice. You have no choice.

Review written by YngwieViking for www.metal-temple.com

Lord Tim - Vocals, Guitars
Andy Dowling - Bass
Mark Furtner - Guitar
Damian Costas - Drums