In the before times, I enjoyed a band called Airbourne. I’m pretty sure they were Australian, and they sounded remarkably like AC/DC. Highly recommended. So, on the list of available albums, I saw Airborn‘s Lizard Secrets Part 3: Utopia (Fighter Records) and figured I’d give it a shot. Very glad I did. This Italian group delivers a Power Metal tour de force. Bonus, the vocals pitch up in a range most of us can reach.
Right from the jump, “Kings of Melody” provides a rousing introduction and preview of pleasures to come. Lizard Secrets Part 3: Utopia continues the group’s exploration of living in possible futures. The second track, “Utopia,” explores a world not unlike George Orwell‘s Oceana from 1984, or Aldoux Huxley‘s Brave New World. “The Board will take care of your needs, and your dreams, and your mind./In Utopia” sums up the lyrical journey. The music features guitars doing standard Power Metal stuff (doing it well), including some truly killer solos.
I think the part I truly appreciate about these guys is specifically Allesso Perardi‘s vocal register. The concerts I’ve loved most are those where I knew all the words and could sing along, and Perardi’s in a register any of us can reach. If they ever cross to stateside, I’m going to try to see them.
“Forever is A Long Time Coming” and “Futuremaker” are both well-executed, and the guitar solo in the latter makes me happy, especially the little faux-folk vocal riff coming out of it. A little joygasm in the middle of an already upbeat metal treat.
I’ve been using “Power Metal” so far, and it’s accurate to a point. However, to delve into the sound by comparison instead of genre, take equal parts Accept, Iron Maiden, and Saxon, toss in a quarter share of Dragonforce, mix well, and Airborn comes out. The ride rocks hard, and regardless of how many times I may say “standard Power Metal,” Utopia delivers a meaty feast of fun.
Despite the title, Lizard Secrets Part 3: Utopia isn’t a concept album so much as a thematic journey through our present and potential future sociopolitical environment. They don’t espouse a dramatic political stance in the manner of Rage Against the Machine. They range closer to Warhog‘s invective against The Crumbles [Editor, please put a link to that review here] with more emphasis on where we might be going.
“Oil’s Well That Doesn’t End Well” may turn out to be my personal theme song, due to its environmentalist emphasis and properly somber execution (I do not radiate joy so it fits.)
The next track, “Soldiers of Misfortune,” hews closer to the aforementioned Dragonforce speed than the other tracks, which include reminiscent riffs and bursts. This song frantically sprints, highlighting Roberto Capucchio‘s guitar virtuosity and Gianluca Luci‘s amphetamine-driven drums. Domenico Buratti‘s bass kinda gets lost among all of this power and speed, but the fact that everything sounds so tight, cohesive, and enveloping proves his talent as well as any solo could have done.
Every song here deserves its own little parapgraph paean, but you really need to get this and listen for yourself. I cannot imagine any self-respecting metal fan sticking this in their ears and not having a ball (and a sore neck.)
I’ve been trying to be more judicious with my tens, but these guys get one unreservedly.
Buy the album here:
https://fighter-records.bandcamp.com/album/lizard-secrets-part-3-utopia
8 / 10
LARRY ROGERS
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