Lionheart - 'The Reality Of Miracles'

(Metalville Records)


‘The Reality Of Miracles’ is the second album from British melodic rockers Lionheart since their reformation a few years ago. Once again, the band retains its core band members from the past – Dennis Stratton, Steve Mann, Rocky Newton and Clive Edwards with the addition of Lee Small, who I think is a cracking vocalist whom many will recognise from various bands but most notably from his stint with cult British AOR heroes Shy.


Given the personnel of Lionheart and their metal pedigree its surprising that the band create music very much on the softer end of the rock spectrum, much like they did back in their NWOBHM heyday! There’s still plenty of guitar shredding from Stratton and Mann but they focus on melody as opposed to aggression crafting some great guitar work throughout this album.


At times Lionheart straddle that thin line between AOR and Prog, which is common with early AOR bands – the common theme of potent melodies is ever present. Crammed to the brim with huge choruses, multi layered vocals and music giving the album and songs a full, rich luxurious sound which form strong atmospherics. There’s some killer keyboard work on this album too which is not to be sniffed at either!


Talking of Keyboards, the kick ass keyboard lick on ‘High Plains Drifter’ is an AOR fans dream, this awesome song is an extremely catchy radio friendly track where Small’s vocals and abilities excel. His voice is perfect for an album in this style Lionheart should definitely feel lucky about been able to recruit Small into their pride. ‘All I Want Is You’ is the albums most obvious commercial song and has radio hit single written all over its vocal harmony enriched unforgettable chorus.


Small has never been afraid to look outside the lyric handbook box for lyric’s and his writing style accentuates some of the prog tones on the album, while also giving the album a fresh, cliché free impact.

‘The Reality Of Miracles’ is far from a perfect album but when it shines it does so extremely brightly therefore making this album an essential listen for AOR fans even if some tracks lack the fire of others. I tend to favour the more obviously commercial songs as opposed to the more atmospheric or meandering ones, which may be why I see the album as having distinct highs and lows, ones that others may not hear.


8/10


Essential Track - 'High Plains Drifter'


Review by Woody


Tracklist -

  1. Salvation

  2. Thine Is The Kingdom

  3. High Plains Drifter

  4. The Reality Of Miracles

  5. Five Tribes

  6. Behind The Wall

  7. All I Want Is You

  8. Widows

  9. Kingdom Of The East

  10. Outlaws Of The Western World

  11. Overdrive

  12. The First Man

  13. Still It Rains On Planet Earth