If you want a history lesson then Lionheart has a long and winding one: “…formed in late 1980 by Dennis Stratton (lead guitar/backing vocals, Iron Maiden), Steve Mann (lead guitar/backing vocals, Liar, Michael Schenker), Rocky Newton (bass guitar/backing vocals, Wildfire, Michael Schenker), Jess Cox (lead vocals, Tygers of Pan Tang), and Frank Noon (drums, Def Leppard). The band immediately began playing gigs including regular shows at London’s infamous Marquee Club. The core personnel of Dennis, Steve and Rocky remained constant and after trying different singers they eventually settled as a 4-piece with Dennis and Rocky sharing lead vocal duties. The drummer’s stool was variously occupied by Les Binks (Judas Priest), Nicko McBrain (Trust, Iron Maiden) and Clive Edwards (Pat Travers, Uli Jon Roth, Wild Horses, UFO).”
Despite breaks like an appearance at The Reading Festival in 1981 and support slots for Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Saxon and luminaries of Rock such as Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep) joining. as well as contracts from CBS (though there was never a release) and high budget videos the band eventually decided to cease activities in 1985. Rocky went on to sing backing vocals on Def Leppard’s Pyromania and Hysteria albums before joining The Michael Schenker Group (MSG). Steve set up his first commercial recording studio before hooking up with Rocky again in MSG, now renamed the McAuley Schenker Group. And Dennis began a 15 year stint with Praying Mantis. Meanwhile Clive went on to play with Bernie Marsden and UFO.
The rekindling of fires started when in 1999 Lionheart released a double album of old recordings on the Pony Canyon label in Japan which prompted the release of (CBS recorded) Hot Tonight on Rock Candy Records (for the first time on CD). Then (a mere 17 years later) in 2016 the Rockingham Festival in Nottingham asked Lionheart to come together for one performance. Original members, Dennis Stratton, Steve Mann, Rocky Newton and Clive Edwards were in, and brought in ex-Shy front man Lee Small on lead vocals. Sweden Rock followed in 2017. A new album ‘Second Nature’ came in 2017 then a Christmas single in December 2018 called ‘Mary Did You Know .’ 2020 saw ‘The Reality of Miracles’ and now four years later comes ‘The Grace of a Dragonfly.’
So much for the potted history slightly adjusted from the press release… The logical next step is of course… a concept album!
There’s a nice easing in with the melodic ‘Declaration’ that opens the album and sets the lyrical theme which is carried on nicely by the ‘calm before the storm’ melodies of ‘Flight 19’ which presumably is about the mysterious disappearance of the US Bombers over the Bermuda Triangle back in 1945 (that actually took place after the Second World War had ended). It’s certainly an interesting lyrical terrain and the more dynamic ‘V is for Victory’ ups the ante with some great backing vocals.
Musically this is a sure footed slab of AOR/Melodic Rock, and whilst Lee’s voice is sounding wonderful its the other players who are driving this with their abundantly apparent virtuosity. There’s a great balance here and the crisp and clear lyrics are nicely constructed. So rater than telling a story Lionheart really here is looking at certain aspects of the war that all resonate.
Point in case is ‘This is a Woman’s War’ that evokes certain emotions. Sometimes you see you don’t have to be too obtuse to create a mood or make a point. ‘The Longest Night’ which might be the only song I’ve heard to refer to The F.A. Cup final, but it’s a great story that shows just how life was disrupted, a nice melodic rocker. ‘The Eagle’s Nest’ paints a gentler more abstract picture, before ‘Little Ships’ . which is one of my favourites here rocks it in a more Magnum-like way. It’s a great song and pretty much sums up all that this band can do when they nail it.
‘Just a Man’ continues that thought – it’s a great slow song that paints another picture of the men who fought on both sides and how they were just the same ordinary people; ‘UXB’ is a little broodier but again deeply melodic, and I think in those three songs you have the core of what I love about the album.
It’s penultimate track ‘The Grace of a Dragonfly’ is another beautiful song underscored by searing guitars and ups the pace a little before ‘Remembrance, Praying For World Peace’ leaves the battlefields and adds a stark, short codicil that hopes for a better future.
As WWII Concept albums go there’s a wonderful thoughtful selection of themes here, but it’s hard to imagine a gentler sonic perspective on the topic. At heart this is wonderfully realised lyrically, and an album that fans of AOR and Melodic Rock should love. It’s beautifully realised even if it seems more like a Summer day at times than a brooding cloud of war! It’s that lack of darkness however that in some way makes it unique. Our generation may not know war like this thankfully, and as concept albums this is as thought provoking as they come.
