The announcement on 21st March last year that drummer Joél Cirera would be departing Crazy Lixx following their performance in Copenhagen on 11th May means that there is just now one man standing from the line-up that delivered the classic ‘Loud Minority’ debut back in 2007. Incredibly, whilst some bands are chastised for losing members and ‘classic line-ups’ are a ‘must have’ for some concert goers Crazy Lixx continue to go from strength to strength, indeed over the years musically they have barely put a foot wrong and you can only put that down to the vision and persistence of Danny Rexon.
It takes a great band though to create great music… So with bassist Jens Andersson clocking up 13 years with the band this year and guitar duo Jens Lundgren and Chrisse Olsson both hitting their 9-year anniversary the last few releases (2017’s ‘Ruff Justice’, 2019’s ‘Forever Wild’ and 2021’s ‘Street Lethal’) have been consistent and outstanding modern 80’s inspired Hard Rock that have it all – the songs, the production and the attitude.
Whilst last year’s mishmash of re-recorded songs (mainly from 2014’s ‘Crazy Lixx’) ‘Two Shots at Glory’ was seen as a stop-gap, or even an unnecessary outing, the great news is that a new 10 song stunner is about to drop in February… The addition of Cruel Intentions ‘sticksman’ Robin Nilsson (Cruel Intentions) to the drum stool is a great fit for the departing Joél Cirera, and completes a ‘solid as a rock’ line-up.
I feel it’s only fair to start this review by stating that in my opinion Crazy Lixx is one of the finest Hard Rock bands out there at the moment, Few have been as consistent over the years and whilst I was a little puzzled by ‘Two Shots’ this new record ‘Thrill of teh Bite’ even at first listen is nothing sort of incredible.
If you’re a fan then you should have already heard ‘first ‘single ‘Midnight Rebels’ (If not WATCH HERE) The video itself is made with clips from the classic 1986 horror movie “Trick Or Treat”, starring Marc Price, Gene Simmons and the late Tony Fields: and if you like what Danny and co have been doing visually for the last few years this is just as cool!
It’s a little odd though that the press release notes ‘Midnight Rebels’ as the first single from the album when there are two other songs that appear on ‘Thrill of the Bite’ that are already out there: ‘Call Of The Wild’ and ‘Little Miss Dangerous’ (Released in September and October last year). That aside, the remainder is just as good if not better than we’ve heard so far, and that for me as I sit here on my third spin on January 14th makes this a contender for album of the year already…
This one really is something special and in the press release Danny was clearly happy to make the following announcement: “So stoked to finally reveal the news of our upcoming album, set to be released in February 2025. Even though we did release some new songs on the compilation album earlier this year, it has been quite a while since the fans got a proper full length studio album with all originals, but now we can finally announce that that time is soon upon us. And dare I say that this album is one really worth waiting for? Personally, I’m really proud and happy with how it came out and I think that the response to the two singles we’ve put out so far (“Call Of The Wild” and “Little Miss Dangerous”) gives us a clear indication that our fans seem to agree.”
So let’s get down to business…
Opening with ‘Highway Hurricane’ you know that you are on solid ground. This is the type of song that has it all: a great build, a rock solid AC/DC style riff and just the right amount of cowbell. It’s a dirty song with a nice hard edge mellowed by trademark soaring backing vocals. A completely addictive start to the new record.
‘Who Said Rock N’ Roll Is Dead’ that follows dispels any lingering doubts – it’s another monster track replete with singalong chorus with a dying to be cried out refrain. That revelation is followed by the two tracks we heard last year – ‘Little Miss Dangerous’ and ‘Call Of The Wild’ which as you will know are both top notch. The former has that wonderful harder edge that really suits Danny’s vocal and really embeds them in the 80’s Hard Rock ethos. The latter might just be one of their most immediate – hung off a killer hypnotic riff.
Five tracks in ‘Recipe For Revolution’ is a more measured mid-tempo rocker that really stretches the sound whilst staying true to it’s 80’s styled roots, it might even be one of our favorites. Then again ‘Side Two’ (as they used to say) starts with the Bluesy solo of ‘Run, Run, Wild’ that bursts into a chant along chorus that is completely infectious. That is followed by ‘Midnight Rebels’ the song tagged ‘First single’ but the third track out in the wild. It’s great, it’s designed to wake the dead get them grooving and banging their heads. It’s why Crazy Lixx is at the top of the tree.
‘Hunt For Danger’ that follows takes the pace off whilst still managing to ride in off a huge riff. It’s a song that infringes Bon Jovi territory and to these ears falls very much in ‘7800 Fahrenheit’ territory, it just has that attitude and the feel of the chorus captures that moment beautifully. Penultimate track ‘Final Warning’ is the most metallic offering here with guitars in overdrive, it’s a Dokken-like affair with the most soaring refrain here. I was singing along by the second chorus!
The final say goes to ‘ Stick It Out’ a rocker lie Crazy Lixx do so well, there’s no nonsense here, no twist, no ballad just a sure-fire rocker that has it all. This may even be my favourite song on the whole album. This one has been a long time coming , but just four years after ‘Street Lethal’ in modern terms this is a rich turnaround. As far as Crazy Lixx albums go this is a real contender and with a few more spins? Who knows? This is certainly up there with the very best, and in a 20 year plus career that’s a huge compliment. Another killer release from one of Sweden’s finest!
9 / 10
Pre-Order “Thrill Of The Bite” HERE
“Thrill Of The Bite” Tracklist:
1. Highway Hurricane
2. Who Said Rock N’ Roll Is Dead
3. Little Miss Dangerous
4. Call Of The Wild
5. Recipe For Revolution
6. Run Run Wild
7. Midnight Rebels
8. Hunt For Danger
9. Final Warning
10. Stick It Out
Line Up:
Danny Rexon – Vocals
Jens Lundgren – Guitar
Chrisse Olsson – Guitar
Jens Andersson – Bass
Robin Nilsson – Drums
