Band:	Lillian Axe
Album:	Waters Rising
Style:	Hard rock
Release date:	June 12, 2007
A review by:	Jeff

01. Waters Rising
02. Antarctica
03. Become A Monster
04. Quarantine
05. I Have To Die, Goodbye
06. Fear Of Time
07. Until The End Of The World
08. Fields Of Yesterday
09. Thirst
10. The 2nd Of May
11. Deep In The Black
12. 5

Lillian Axe is maybe not so famous now but during the 80's and the beginning of the 90's, they released some good albums and some of their songs were even feature on Headbanger's Ball TV show. Back in time, the band played Hard Rock (not so far of Glam rock) and after a break from 1993 to 1999, they're doing their real return now with their new album "Waters Rising". This band is not dead, at the opposite, and "Waters Rising" is just a great way to come back!

While I was listening to "Waters Rising" for the first time, I said to myself that I was simply passing a good moment. The album is cool, full of nice songs and if some of them like "Waters Rising" are pure "aggressive" Hard Rock songs, some others like "I Have To Die, Goodbye" are a bit cooler and more like some soft ballads. All in all, "Waters Rising" smells the good old Hard Rock production from USA and you know what? that's just perfect for me! It's maybe not super complex and a bit "commercial" on a side (yes, it's some pure Hard FM on a side) but the songs are good and even if the original vocalist is replaced now by Derrick Lefevre, I cannot complain about his performance which is really convincing. Also, we cannot talk about Lillian Axe without talking about Steve Blaze, the real leader and main compositor of the band, who proves here again that he is a great guitarist who feels and lives the music. His performance on this album is just great and it's easy to feel and hear is original touch on all the songs.

"Waters Rising" is well produced even if I don't really like the artworks and covers (I know that the Alice In The Wonderland theme was a good idea but still...). The guys are not back for nothing, and this new album is all but not a mistake. If you want to listen to some classy Hard Rock you cannot miss this release. Why? Just because it sounds modern and never falls into some "cheesy" traps, "Waters Rising" is good Hard Rock and doesn't sound like some re-edited music. Of course, it's Hard FM that's right but if you like this kind of music (and here don't forget that it's all but not easy, Steve Blaze add a lot of complexity to all his songs) this is a must for you!

"Waters Rising" is a great return and it's good to see that such "old" bands are still able to have a lot of good inspirations to write good music. Without anything wrong on this new album, I don't understand why you should be disappointed. "Waters Rising" is a must for all the ones who like to listen to melodic Hard Rock, the comeback of Lillian Axe is great news!