Slizard – Slizard

Slizard Album Cover Art

Slizard – Slizard
Mega Metal Records
Release Date: 28/05/2021
Running Time: 65:00
Review by Wallace Magri
9/10

Once upon a time…when I was a kid, around 1985-89, I used to buy a record by its cover. Back then, it was very uncommon to listen to Metal music on the radio or wherever, so buying the albums was my only choice to get in touch with such songs. I was incredibly lucky to get into Kiss, W.A.S.P., Twisted Sister, Iron Maiden and a bunch of other cool Heavy Metal bands – judging them by the cover!

Back to 2021, I decided to choose a new release from the Ever Metal’s review list by the name of the band (no Industrial Metal this time). Slizard – was the one that caught my attention instantly: it sounded Metal enough for me and I assumed that I would listen to a little bit of Sleaze Metal here and there…

So, I began the blind ear experience listening to the opening track of Slizard’s, self-titled, debut album, ‘Monster’, and what I heard was a song from a Heavy Metal band from somewhere like Italy, that, sometimes, flirts with Hard Rock melodies. The second song, ‘Mr. Hyde’, sounded almost like Melodic Power Metal. I am not a big fan of that style, so I have few references to compare to. Anyway, that was my first impression on the songs.

But much to my surprise, when I checked the press release, I found out that Slizard are actually from Los Angeles, with a couple of experienced musicians in its line-up: lead singer Liz Fawcett and the amazing guitar and bass player Pat “Buzz” Belrose, who has been on the L.A. scene since the 90’s; Tadd “Toad” Resmen completes the team, playing the drums very well.

Yes, the press release is right, because Liz Fawcett is an amazing singer, but that skill by itself isn’t enough to create good music. And even though she actually is a hell of a singer, what we have here are some great songs and also great mixing and production work, from Chris Wood, who has worked with the likes of Slash, Lenny Kravitz and Vivian Campbell guitarist of Dio and Def Leppard.

It also has to be mentioned that the good results of the album, as a whole, owes a lot to the impressive talent of Pat ‘Buzz’ Belrose, who plays bass and guitar on the album, and what excellent riffs and solos we have here, I tell you!

After listening to “Slizard” a couple of times, I was reminded of old-school US Metal Bands, such as Metal Church and Chastain, on some occasions. Maybe Leather Leone could have been an influence on Liz’s vocals, but there are also Alanis Morissette and especially Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries) influences here, such as in ‘Watch N’ Listen’ and ‘Neverland’ – but, anyhow, those are still Heavy metal songs, with simple but effective riffs and great guitar solos and licks!

Sometimes the melodic touch gets more intense, but nothing like something you would hear from Lita Ford or Vixen, forget it, the timbre of the instruments and the lack of keywords always keep things in ‘Heavy Metal mode’. But, even so, songs like ‘Vampire Zombies’ and ‘Down By The River’ have a poppy appeal and catchy choruses, aligned with guitar solos that have plenty of feeling on every note played by Belrose.

Well, I am glad I had a happy blind ear experience: In the beginning, the wrong conclusion over the name could have made me disappointed with the musical style, because the band definitely don’t play Sleaze Metal; even afterwards, thinking that Slizard would be a European Power Metal band, but I loved the vocals, heavy guitars and amazing solos, full of technique and feeling. Then, after realizing that the band didn’t play any of the styles above during my first listen, I can positively say that, if you enjoy basic Hard ‘n’ Heavy music, just choose Slizard by the music they play and you won’t go wrong.

TRACKLISTING:
01. Monsters
02. Mr. Hyde
03. Caught Up In The Gears
04. Crack The Whip
05. Skinwalker
06. Watch N’ Listen
07. Vampire Zombies
08. Runnin’ Towards The Zombies
09. Madness Of The Queen
10. Neverland
11. Down By The River
12. Spooks In The Trees
13. Broken Dreams
14. Will You Still Be There
15. Slow Motion Suicide

LINE-UP:
Liz Fawcett – Vocals
Pat “Buzz” Belrose – Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Todd “Toad” Resmen – Drums

LINKS:

Slizard Pic

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Wallace Magri and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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