In review, I can safely say that Lion are one of my favourite bands. They emerged from the quagmire of Los Angeles based bands during the 80’s.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Lion
ALBUM: Dangerous Attraction
LABEL: Scotti Bros
SERIAL: BFZ 40797
YEAR: 1987
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Kal Swan – lead and backing vocals * Doug Aldrich – guitars, backing vocals * Jerry Best – bass, backing vocals * Mark Edwards – drums, backing vocals
Additional Musicians: Pat Regan – keyboards * Scott MacLachlan, Victoria Seeger – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Fatal Attraction * 02 Armed And Dangerous * 03 Hard And Heavy * 04 Never Surrender * 05 Death On Legs * 06 Power Love * 07 In The Name Of Love * 08 After The Fire * 09 Shout It Out
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Page
Lion Background
In review, I can safely say that Lion are one of my favourite bands. They emerged from the quagmire of Los Angeles based bands during the 80’s.
They had a magic blend of pure power melodic rock. This included forceful vocals, stunning guitar work, and a world class rhythm section. Not only that, but the songs still make for great listening years later.
Vocalist Kal Swan, moved from the UK to Los Angeles after a stint with the band Tytan. He joined forces with Aldrich, Best and Edwards.
Edwards had played on numerous hard rock projects before then. This included Steeler (with Yngwie Malmsteen and Ron Keel). However he came to prominence with Lion.
The guys got together in 1983, and attracted some interest from Japan. Their self produced and self financed EP ‘Power Love’ was only released in Japan.
Lion also appeared on a couple of soundtracks. Namely ‘The Wraith’ (with Charlie Sheen and ‘that car’. Those who have the seen the movie will know what I mean!!), as well as ‘The Transformers’.
Scotti Bros soon took an interest this album appeared during 1987, and what an album it was too. Soaring vocals, and equally soaring guitar, coupled with an arrestingly powerful rhythm section performance.
All the ingredients of a classic melodic rock album.
The Songs
Some of the highlights? The lead off track ‘Fatal Attraction’. Funnily enough it was supposed to be the album name. Except for a movie of the same name being released around about the same time.
Then there’s the incredibly hooky ‘Never Surrender’ (first heard on ‘The Wraith’). Plus the chant-a-long gonzo rock of ‘Hard And Heavy’ where the guitar solo from Aldrich is killer.
We also get the epicness of ‘In The Name Of Love’. This one has a subtle atmospheric intro before filling out into a monster track.
‘Power Love’ is also a great stormer of a track, with booming vocals from Swan. Really, the whole album is fantastic, and is one of the stand-outs of the 1987 year.
In Summary
Twas unfortunate then that Scotti Bros dropped the band. In much the same way that EMI America have done with most of their roster.
Scotti failed to capitalise on what was a gift opportunity. And that was to give Lion the clout to get this album in the faces of the record buying public.
Consequently, the album failed to do well then released their epitaph ‘Trouble In Angel City’ on the Grand Slamm label in 1989.
Lion split up in October 1989 when Edwards suffered a serious motorbike injury. Aldrich went on to Hurricane. He then later Whitesnake Revolution Saints and the Dead Daisies.
Also, Swan and Aldrich reunited during the 90’s under the band banner of Bad Moon Rising. They have released numerous albums, then morphed into Burning Rain.
In the meantime, grab a slice of this, if you can find it that is.
Lion on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
