Steve Harris - BRITISH LION

[Sabbathman]

Well well well, what a surprise from Steve Harris! A heavy sounding album title and heavy looking album cover that strikes straight into my Middle Ages/heraldry vein. This is surely an interesting release from Steve Harris at this point of his career (who would have thought?), one which I will most likely purchase based on the title and cover alone, but I believe this will be exciting musically as well.

STEVE HARRIS BRITISH LION - BRAND NEW ALBUM RELEASED SEPTEMBER 24

http://www.ironmaiden.com/steve-harr...tember-24.html

Published: Jul 18, 2012

EMI Music are proud to announce the release of Iron Maiden founder
Steve Harris’ debut solo/side project album. Entitled ‘British Lion’
and comprising ten songs that Steve and his collaborators have been
working on for the past few years between Iron Maiden tours and
releases, it is an album that will surprise and delight music fans the
world over.

With a decidedly heavy rock-vibe this roaring debut paints with a full
palette of sounds; brooding, melancholic, righteously indignant and
exuberantly heavy. With Kevin Shirley at the mixing helm – whose
credits include Iron Maiden as well as Led Zeppelin, Journey and Rush
among many others – this is an album to sink your teeth into.

From the growling riffage of opening salvo This Is My God to the heavy
forlorn balladry of follow-up Lost Worlds which showcases Richard
Taylor’s soaring vocals, it’s clear that ‘British Lion’ is an
altogether different beast from Maiden.

Karma Killer, with its dirge-like muscularity, and Us Against The
World, with its massive chorus, demonstrates just how far ‘British
Lion’ has flexed Steve Harris’ considerable musical muscle. Dovetailed
with guitarist David Hawkins’ positively gargantuan lyrical guitar
melodies, it’s a mere hors d'oeuvre ahead of the epic, riffing-feast
of The Chosen Ones, with its swaggering bravado.

A World Without Heaven, at a breathtaking seven minutes and infused
with progressive elements without ever teetering into self-indulgence
illustrates perfectly these songsmiths’ colossal abilities to create a
mood and stay there. Supercharged by Steve Harris’ inimitable style,
there’s an un-cynical vibe here that’s as refreshing as it is out of
place in today’s all-too-categorised music industry.

And as far as the name ‘British Lion’; “I’ve always been proud to be
British,” explains Steve, “I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be.
It’s a massive part of being me. It’s not like I’m flag-waving or
trying to preach, this is not a political statement at all. It’s like
supporting your football team, where you come from. I just think it
lends itself to some really strong imagery too, and to me it fits in
with the sound.”

With Iron Maiden, Steve Harris has become one of the most recognised
and successful ambassadors for British music on the world stage.
Having released 15 studio albums, sold over 85 million records
worldwide and played more than two thousand gigs in 58 countries in
the band’s thirty-five year career, his appeal is truly global.

And now with ‘British Lion’, Steve steps out from Iron Maiden’s
illustrious shadow to present a different side of his musical visions.

The tracklisting for ‘British Lion’ is as follows:

1.This Is My God
2.Lost Worlds
3.Karma Killer
4.Us Against The World
5.The Chosen Ones
6.A World Without Heaven
7.Judas
8.Eyes Of The Young
9.These Are The Hands
10.The Lesson

www.steveharrisbritishlion.com

[Josef_K]

I wonder if I will like this... the vocals will probably decide. I like Steve's songwriting, but when it comes to this genre I still need a great singer to perform those songs. Not saying he hasn't had them, on the contrary actually, all three singers in Iron Maiden were great. Looking forward to this, though I won't buy it right away without listening to it... I gotta say Steve managed to time this well, the last Iron Maiden album is the only one that I never bothered to check out to be honest.

[celt]

Interesting indeed! Maybe I missed something, but I really never saw this coming. I am looking forward to this. Wonder if Steve is going to sing on at least one song, 'cause he comes off to me as a wannabe front-man.

[RichardRG]

I never expected a solo album from him. It would be cool if he released an entirely instrumental album. Hopefully he reveals his creative potential and it sounds nothing like Iron Maiden.

[Paulie 88]

I had no idea this was happening - What's the priors on the involved players?

All the best,
PAULIE

[BibleBlack]

An interesting change of pace.
Curious to see what this will bring.

[dark2711]

Never thought this would happen always figured he'd be satisfying all his creative urges through Maiden, but obviously not. Will definitely be getting a copy.

[Charger]

This is a bit of a surprise really...

Who's handeling the vocal duties? Steve himself or someone else?

I hope this would be better than Maiden's last two efforts that have been really really really dissapointing (to say the least!)...

[dark2711]

Says in the press release above that someone called, Richard Taylor, is providing the soaring vocals. Which I guess means they will be pretty much in the Bruce style, which makes you wonder what the point is, are these songs which just weren't good enough to make it on a Maiden album?

[SoundMaster]

I always wondered if this would ever happen. It could be nice to hear Maiden without Bruce again, because that's what this is like a bit. But given Steve's inspiration "these days" it'll probably be some phoned in wannabe prog. Still, a relief not to have to hear Bruce again.

My hopes aren't high, but if this comes close to the reunion era records (particularly the last two, which are both 10/10 releases), I'll be super-stoked! fingers crossed!!!!!

[sn0wb1ind0zzy]

As far as I'm concerned, Iron Maiden is Steves solo project...

[justme1]

Got it day out, a bit boring

[Sporkman GB]

As far as I'm concerned, Iron Maiden is Steves solo project...

Maiden's a group effort. Everyone contributes; just because Harris writes most of the songs doesn't mean it's his solo project....like how calling Dokken or Bon Jovi or Van Halen a solo project would be highly misinformed, except to a greater extent with Maiden