Lion’s Share – Dark Hours

In the era of experimentation, Lion’s Share chose to stick to the “traditional” heavy metal sound. This is not bad by default, but their music failed to impress me.

“Dark Hours” is the sixth full length album of Lion’s Share in the nearly 20 years of their existence. After the six year hiatus that came to an end with “Emotional Coma” in 2007 the only member of the band that stayed in his place is the band leader and guitarist Lars Chriss. The vocals are really good and are handled by Nils Patrik Johansson who is an exceptional singer.

Getting back on the music, I had the feeling that I’ve heard all this before and after a few minutes, I couldn’t help myself but try and find out which one of the metal classics each song reminds me. To my ears Dark Hours is a mix of Judas Priest, Dio and the Black Sabbath of the 80s, with the original feeling missing. And finally this proves to be the albums greatest drawback, lack of originality. It sure has good moments like “Phantom Rider”, “Heavy Cross to Bear” (Tony Martin’s name was spinning in my head) and “Behind the Curtain” but as a whole it’s more on the boring side.

Maybe a good buy if you feel a little bit nostalgic, but not the type of album tht will haunt you.