LIONIZE – Nuclear Soul

Nuclear Soul, the sixth album from Maryland’s Lionize, has very few of the obvious trappings of one typically associates with a Heavy Metal album—but don’t run away yet. There are a few big chords, some furious rhythmic riffs, and powerful vocals, but Nuclear Soul exists in that strange but wonderful space where many styles are sampled and utilized, but in a way that makes the final result sui generis. Lionize take ideas from Blues, Funk, Groove, Metal, Hard Rock, Psychedelia—anything they feel suits the emotive needs of the song, and couple it with some amazing musicianship and the big Soul voice of Nate Berg to create something truly wonderful. Check out the Purple-y keyboard wash and rhythm assault on album opener “Darkest Timeline”.

Check out the bass line in “Face On Mars” (in fact, check out the bass line of every song; Hank Upton’s playing throughout is nothing short of amazing). Check out the ending guitar solo on closer “Blindness To Danger”. Check out the message on “Election Day”. Check out the gorgeous vocal of the title track. Check out “Fire In Athena”—have you ever wondered what Otis Redding might sound like singing over a Thin Lizzy riff? Apparently Lionize has, because that is the effect they create during parts of this great song. The vibe on some of the songs on Nuclear Soul, especially “Power Grid”, is akin to California’s The Bellrays, but beyond that their sound is their own, and it is a sound that earns repeated listens.

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