Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Lizzy Borden - Give 'em the Axe [1984 EP]


Immediately after recording their demo and picking up a deal with the budding Metal Blade Records, the Borden family blitzed the studio to record this scrappy little EP. I always imagine them in full, ludicrous attire, probably falling down drunk, and using that pathetic, little chainsaw from the Menace to Society cover to break off the lock only to find that the door was open all along. Lizzy himself then proceeds to toss out the unfortunate band cowering inside. In this case, it's John Arch and company recording Night on Bröcken, but you know Archie; he typically takes it well, temporarily returns to his work as a lumberjack, and, not being one to waste any storytelling potential, secretly recounts the tale backwards through the course of The Spectre Within. Yeah, it's in there. Trust me. Meanwhile, all the goofing off stops when the 'record' button is pressed...

Okay, so maybe I let my imagination run a bit wild there, but that just about reflects the energy ever apparent in Lizzy Borden recordings. There's a feeling of controlled insanity with these guys in their early output; you know that any minute they could fly off the handle and start burning stuff, and they have the equipment and mental state to do so. However, their unquenchable thirst for destruction isn't so much threatening as it is brought on by their love of fun and partying. This factor would become more evident lyrically on the band's full lengths, but the energy is still present right here on Give 'em the Axe even if their impeccable brand of melodic mastery wasn't quite reined in yet. This follows the path of the demo, featuring the same style of brief tracks with NWOBHM-influenced guitar melodies and Lizzy's always perfect vocal chords. In terms of content, it isn't exactly bursting at the seams, but I was relatively satisfied nonetheless.

The EP begins with the title track, which was destined to become a lead in at concerts with its direct nature and themes involving the band's titular character. The main riff is a bit plain for my tastes, but the song still succeeds thanks to strong performances. Of all their tracks, "Kiss of Death" probably embraces the band's traditional metal influences the most, busting out a riff Iron Maiden could have utilized on Killers. No, it isn't quite as good as the Fates Warning rendition (Archie's revenge!). "No Time to Lose" closes out the original material, which is speedier (and better) than the other songs. The chorus is excellent, easily the catchiest thing here. I've never cared for Lizzy Borden's covers, but "Long Live Rock 'n Roll" entertains thanks to the strength of the source material. I must say that Lizzy's voice doesn't really fit here, though.

Lizzy Borden's non-album releases have never thrilled me (especially the dismal Terror Rising EP), but I'd easily call Give 'em the Axe the best of the few, a worthwhile purchase for NWOBHM loyalists and fanatics of the band's early work as well. It serves more of a purpose as a crucial cog in their natural progression and history than as a highly enjoyable listening experience in my opinion, since this group wouldn't quite arrive until their full length debut, but I can't discredit it for what it was: a nice little taste test for the four course feast to come. It also delivered the first sight of one of the most awesome logos ever forged forth from the lair of self-aware 80s cheese, although (ahem) I prefer its later incarnations of green and yellow or the USA flag's colors. That was the time, though, when the most outlandish victims of style could still possess substance behind them.

   Overall: 7/10 (Good - bullets start to fly)

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