Last In Line – II

Last In Line’s sophomore album follows the template of their distinctive debut sound.  Jeff Pilson returns to produce the band’s sound they attribute to “…the unmistakable Vinny Appice rhythms, thunderous bass from (Phil) Soussan and the amazing vocals from (Andrew) Freeman combined with the roaring guitars from (Vivian) Campbell.”  Soussan (ex-Ozzy) replaces Jimmy Bain who died of lung cancer in 2016 the night before their gig aboard Def Leppard’s inaugural “Hysteria On The High Seas” cruise.

After dispensing with a useless intro track aptly named “Intro”, the plodding rhythm and purposeful riffing of “Blackout The Sun” treads so close to 2016’s “Devil In Me” the listener has little doubt the band’s signature sound is back.  Further examples of this big riff and bigger rhythm template are “Give Up The Ghost” and “Sword From The Stone.”  While the former is well written and executed, the latter is inexplicably stretched beyond 6 minutes with unnecessarily long guitar solos, riff repetition, and bloated choruses.  Pilson fails to reign in the band on this track.  “Landslide” features a prog-ish guitar intro which flows into an undeveloped song with a too often repeated grandiose chorus. “Gods And Tyrants” oscillates between slow to fast and delicate to powerful riffs.  This multi-layered construction is a respite from the template and displays refreshing song writing sophistication. “Year Of The Gun” and “Electrified” are straight-forward rockers relying on up-tempo pacing.  The latter is a highlight on the back half and contains the most spirited guitar solo on the album. Other back half highlights are “False Flag” an anthemic version of the big riff and rhythm template and “Love And War” which delivers a touch of whimsy and groove between thick blasts of riff and chorus.

While II doesn’t have the same bombastic hooking power of their debut, it delivers their signature sound.  Last In Line excels at writing and performing songs which are not especially sophisticated but are deceptively difficult to do well because their simplicity lays bare any flaws.  Those who crave a clean and powerful sonic landscape will find this album refreshing even if predictable and formulaic.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

TRACKLIST (Highlights: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11)

1. Intro
2. Black Out The Sun
3. Landslide
4. Gods And Tyrants
5. Year Of The Gun
6. Give Up The Ghost
7. The Unknown
8. Sword From The Stone
9. Electrified
10. Love And War
11. False Flag
12. The Light

LINEUP

Andrew Freeman – Vocals
Vinny Appice – Drums
Phil Soussan – Bass
Vivian Campbell – Guitars