Band: Lion’s Share
Album title: Dark Hours
Label: Blistering Records
Distributor: Bertus
Release date: 25/03/2009
Release: CD

In all sincerity, I have to admit I had never before heard any material by this Swedish Heavy Metal act, in spite of the fact that it’s been active since the late ’80, and giving us a total of 5 studio albums (1995’s self-titled debut, 1997’s Two on the Century Media label, 1999’s Fall From Grace, 2001’s Entrance, and 2007’s Emotional Coma) and a compilation (2000’s Perspective) prior to this one. Nevertheless, there immediately was something awkwardly familiar from the first time I listened to Dark Hours. So, evidently, I went out on a search, and found out that the Lion’s Share of taday is a completely different one from that which was about during the ‘90s and the beginning of this decennium. But perhaps I’d better start at the beginning?

You see, Lion’s Share goes back to the year 1987 when the band was formed by guitarist Lars Chriss, keyboarder Kay Backlund, singer Marcus Nordenberg, and bassist Mikael Hansson This line-up recorded the single Ghost Town Queen (which is today a highly collectable item) before splitting up. The band however reformed as a solo project of Chriss, to fulfil a commitment to include a track on a Belgian compilation album in 1992.

During 1993 a temporary line-up comprising singer Andy Engberg (formerly of Sorcerer) and bassist Andy Loos (ex-Glory) came about. This outfit was swiftly signed to Japanese label Zero Corporation for the release of the debut album (which was then re-issued in Europe on the Local Hero imprint, and in 1995 through Long Island). A short interlude at this time to indicate that the music the band played in those days was a keyboard-driven Melodic Hard Rock! Shortly after the release of their debut, Loos was exchanged for Pontus Egberg (who’d previously played with Steamroller). During 1996, the band contributed a cover of Judas Priest’s “Touch Of Evil” to the Century Media tribute album Legends Of Metal Vol.1, and early 1997 saw the release of their sophomore album. Concertwize, Lion’s Share had closed ’96 with a European tour supporting Saxon during November and December. 1997 would see the band doin’ more European touring with Iced Earth & Nevermore, before another stint with Saxon. ’98 opened with the band playing support to U.D.O. on their Scandinavian dates. Around that same time several members of the band kept filled periods of inactivity of theirthemselves busy with Kiss covers band Kyss. The band’s 3rd album was released through Japanese imprint Avex  Corporation, and to promote the album the band performed at the prestigious Sweden Rock festival, after having shared the stage with Dee Snider. During Autumn the band had their interpretation of “I Don’t Believe In Love” contributed to a Queensrÿche tribute album, and a cover of Electric Boys’ “Ready To Believe” to a Swedisk compilation album. Towards the end of ’99, the band signed a deal for Germany with Massacre, and for Finland & Scandinavia with Playground for the 2000 release of Perspective (actually a compilation of the first two, remastered, albums…with onus material). They then undertook a massive Scandinavian tour with Manowar, Dio, and Motörhead. Things must’ve been rumbing in the Lion’s Share line-up around that time, because for their 4th album Entrance (2001) the band recruited Tony Niva (of Swedish Erotica) as new singer. Guests on the album included guitarist Tommy Denander (of Rainmaker, Prisoner, and Radioactive fame), former Candlemass singer Thomas Vikström, and former Yngwie Malmsteen bandmembers Göran Edman (vocals) and Matts Olausson (keyboards). In April 2002 Chriss started a side-project named Cosmic Sphere, and during Summer he started another band venture known as Tykoon [including Tommy Denander, singer Leif Sundin (of Michael Schenker Group, Great King Rat, and John Norum’ band), and bassist Andy Loos]. Bassist Pontus Egberg from his side started C.R.A.N.K., flanked in this endeavour by drumming Lion’s Share bandmate Johan Koleberg, Candlemass guitarist Mats Björkman, plus guitarist Ulf Larsson and singer Alex Swerdh from Kyss. In October Lion’s Share would separate themselves from their rhythm section, leaving only the duo of Chriss and Niva. The remaining duo still demoed for a fifth album, but nothing apparently ever came of it, and Lion’s Share was but on the low burner for a while!!!

During 2004 the project was breathing air again, Chriss working with singer Nils Patrik Johansson of Astral Doors…which evidently is the recognition factor I was talking about at the beginning of this review…and drummer Mats Karlsson. During 2005 this trio inducted bassist Sampo Axelsson (formerly of Glenn Hughes and Crawley) into their ranks. Lion’s Share eventually resurfaced with the AFM Records released album Emotional Coma in July 2007, the album showing a clear change of musical direction towards the modern Heavy Metal (slightly infused with some Thrash) which suits Dio-with-balls soundalike Johansson best! Guesting on that album were Megadeth’s Glen Drover (solo on album title song), Bruce Kulick (solo on another song), and Mats Levén (contributing backing vocals). Drums however, were done by Richard Evensand (formerly of Therion and Chimaira, also having performed a lot of session work, among which for Soilwork). Another notable feature of the album was the band’s cover of Angel Witch’s “Sorcerers”. Lion’s Share would do several live performances in support of this album, and on 2008’s DVD The Magic Circle Festival, they’re featured with two tracks.

All I can tell you about the band’s new album, is that its material sparkles from beginning to end, the only “resting point” being a short passage during the track “Barker Ranch” where a newscast sample is used. Because there’s no mushy ballads on here, the band prefering to go at things full blast all the way! The band apparently still has problems with their drummers, Richard Evensand named as session musician alongside guesting Conny Petersson (of Anata), a December 2008 “band” photo featuring onlu Chriss, Johansson, and Axelsson! Oh yeah, another guest on the album is Symphony X’s Michael Romeo, but regretfully the bio doesn’t mention on which track! For your introduction to the “new” Lion’s Share, check the songs the band posted at myspace.com/lionsshare! Personally, I’ve found myself another album to add to my “Best Albums Of 2009”-list!!! I mean, what else can you do with an album you’ve listened to 5 or 6 times already, when each new listening session is as exhilerating as the previous one, when you can keep listening to each and every track without getting an inkling feeling of getting bored?

By the way, the band has recently signed a deal with Japanese quality label King Records. That version of the album will feature a bonus track in “King Of All Kings”…the same song which will be on the European limited edition digipak! Order it now or risk never being able to get that copy of the album ever after! I mean, I’m already off to the record store as soon as possible, you know!

98/100

Tony.