Daniel Lioneye Vol. II
by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer
Devoted HIM fans are surely familiar with guitarist Linde’s side project, Daniel Lioneye. They most certainly know “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” from not only the album of the same name, but also from its choice as noted HIM fanatic Bam Margera’s Viva La Bam show. What followers may not yet understand, however, is how completely different this Daniel Lioneye disc is from its predecessor. Gone are the psychedelic meanderings and stoner riffage, replaced here with over-the-top, shred-heavy black metal. Such a drastic change creates one big question: does it work? Hell yes, it does.
While the songs on Vol. II are certainly black metal, there is a lot more going on than a typical album of the genre may dabble in. Sure, there are high, screechy vocals (Dani Filth or Nagash-high to be more clear), a handful of blast beats, and plenty of trem-picked melodic riffs; these things tend to define the style afterall. But Linde has also brought in many other extreme elements, from the Devin Townsend-worthy clean-mixed-with-scream choruses on “Euroshaman” and “Flatlined, to the well-placed sitar on “Neolithic Way,” or the absolute wall-of-sound chaotic chorus of “Who Turned the Lights Out.” All of these variations give the album more depth than many of its contemporaries.
Not that he is a slouch in his main role as HIM guitarist, but Linde really gets to shine and showoff here, and does not waste the opportunity. The guitar parts are fast and furious, yet melody is never sacrificed in the name of speed. Bits of “I Saw Myself” wouldn’t be out of place on Dreamspace-era Stratovarius, and the rapid-fire riff changes of “The Mentat” are in-line with many of the most elite of extreme bands. While we’re on the topic of “The Mentat,” it should also be noted that the doubling of the snare with gun shots is one of the most effective and coolest tricks to be burned to plastic in some time.
Only two tracks stand out as, erm, different. Not bad, different. “Saturnalia” is a quiet, spacey interlude that sort of stalls things in its third-song position. Perhaps it would have been better placed later in the record. “I Have Never Wanted to Be Number One” is the other odd-man out, with its more laid-back, rock sound. Apparently written as an acoustic ballad, it’s hard to picture it as such. The distorted vocals utilized here bring the song down ever so slightly, as the distortion almost feels like a cover-up for less-than-stellar vocals rather than an enhancement. That said, the song is still excellent, and is by far the most accessible track for Linde fans not used to the black metal sound.
While it may not be the most black metal sounding band name, Daniel Lioneye has certainly produced a killer black metal record. Whether or not to recommend it death-obsessed HIM fans is hard to say, but extreme fans should not pass up Vol. II.
Label: The End Records
Web: http://www.myspace.com/daniellioneyeofficial
Band Lineup:
Linde (guitar, bass, vox)
Burton (keys)
Bolton (drums)
Tracks:
1.Euroshaman
2.Flatlined
3.Saturnalia
4.Neolithic Way
5.I Saw Myself
6.The Mentat
7.I Have Never Wanted To Be Number One
8.Who Turned The Lights Out
9.Kiss of the Cannibal
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.9/10