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Pride Of Lions: Lion Heart
Pride Of Lions - Lion Heart Album Art

Pride Of Lions: Lion Heart

AOR Melodic Hard Rock
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 30.09.2020 | Released: 09.10.2020

Once more we welcome back Pride Of Lions and the talented duo of vocalist Toby Hitchcock and multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Jim Peterik. Their association started better than 15 years ago, and has been marked by a solid offering of consistent and entertaining AOR melodic hard rock albums. Lion Heart, their sixth album together, is no exception.

Pride Of Lions - Click For Larger Image

Pride Of Lions's Hitchcock and Peterik

The Peterik-Hitchcock combination is a match made in AOR heaven. Both are exceptional vocalists, and Peterik is a gifted songwriter. The two live and breathe classic melodic hard rock, and surround themselves with a talented cast of supporting musicians. A Pride Of Lions has all the characteristics of classic rock: strong melodies, tight vocal harmony, lively rock rhythm and groove, spirited guitar solos, and memorable radio-friendly refrains. Indeed, if this were the Eighties, this album and the songs would find their way to FM radio and arenas across the land. So, on to a sample of the tunes then.

From the start, the AOR magic begins with the groove and positive lyrical inspiration of the catchy Lion Heart, which features Peterik's son Colin on drums. A tribute to our first responders comes with Heart Of The Warrior, which offers a proper and enthusiastic mix of synths, rock rhythm, lead vocal harmony, and a terrific refrain. With You're Not A Prisoner, Pride Of Lions adds some metal edge to their sound with stronger riffs and a beefy rhythm section, without sacrificing song melody and harmony. And the guitar solo kills. Alternatively, with Unfinished Heart, Hitchcock and Peterik revisit that staple of classic Eighties rock: the rising anthemic power ballad, complete with an epic guitar solo. But I think my favorite song of the album is easily Rock And Roll Boom Town. Part history lesson and part ballad, Pride Of Lions tells the tale of the rise and fall of classic Eighties rock scene from Hollywood to the Sunset Strip to the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, using the same musical medium that made the era and area famous. After all, Peterik lived through most of it.

Almost all things considered, there's little doubt Lion Heart is another album of exceptional and entertaining AOR melodic hard rock from two masters: Jim Peterik and Toby Hitchcock. Quite recommended.




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The Bottom Line

Almost all things considered, there's little doubt Lion Heart is another album of exceptional and entertaining AOR melodic hard rock from two masters: Jim Peterik and Toby Hitchcock. Quite recommended.

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