I was first introduced to the Swedish-based heavy metal band LIONS SHARE by a friend of mine back in 1999… shortly after the release of their 3rd studio album “FALL FROM GRACE” and really fell in love with this band. Their hard and heavy rhythms combined with strong, melodic undertones really impressed me and kinda reminded me of what QUEENSRYCHE did on their first couple of albums “RAGE FOR ORDER” or “THE WARNING.”

Then, after four great releases, the band just seemed to disappear in late 2001. But that was not the last we would hear from these Swedish rockers! It’s now 2008 and LIONS SHARE is back with a brand new release entitled “EMOTIONAL COMA”… well, sort of.

A lot has changed since LIONS SHARE’s last studio release, including the band itself! While the bulk of the band departed and went their separate ways, founding member Lars Chriss re-formed the band and hand selected a new group of talented musicians for an all new LIONS SHARE and an even newer sound.

While the band always had that hard, aggressive style, the first thing fans of yesteryear LIONS SHARE will notice about “EMOTIONAL COMA” is that while there are still hints of those older melodic nuances, this is a LOT more angry and in-your-face than anything this band has done before.

Right off the bat, a nice guitar intro leads right into the powerful “Cult of Denial.” With the hard-hitting duo of bassist Sampo Axelsson (Glenn Hughes) and non-touring, studio drummer Richard Evensand as well as new vocalist Patrik Johansson (ASTRAL DOORS) taking over behind the “mike,” the new LIONS SHARE sound may knock some fans for a loop!

Tracks like “The Arsonist,” “Clones of Fate,” and “Soultaker” are all heavy, aggressive rockers with some frantic guitar riffs and heart-pounding arrangements. “Trafficking” has a slower, more grinding pace… as does “Sorcerers” and both have that almost BLACK SABBATH/ Ronnie James Dio feel to them. And then there’s “Toxication Rave” which is pure and simply… THRASH!

Other songs of note include a couple of my favorite tracks, “Hatred’s My Fault” and “The Edge of the Razor.” “Hatred” has that old-school metal feel to it and a strong, gripping melody while “Edge of the Razor” has a more haunting theme which in addition to Chriss’ guitar parts features former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick taking over on lead guitar duties. And he’s not the only special guest to be featured as MEGADETH’s Glen Dover has his moment as fronting guitarist on the title track “Emotional Coma.”

As a whole, “EMOTIONAL COMA is a very good release. What I really like about it more than anything is the song writing itself which takes on some pretty serious issues such as suicide, arson, brainwashing and murder… all delivered with a powerful punch! But be forewarned, if you are a fan of that old LIONS SHARE sound, it may take a little getting use to as fans who favor a more intense style of music will probably get a lot more out of this than those who lean towards the melodic.