Release Date May 29th, 2026 (40th Anniversary Edition)
Format 2LP Vinyl Red & Blue (Limited 200 Units)
Genre Heavy Metal
Origin United States
Before the makeup, the blood, and the arena-sized egos completely swallowed the L.A. scene, Lizzy Borden was a lethal force of nature. Formed in 1983 by brothers Lizzy Borden and Joey Scott, these maniacs took the "Shock Rock" blueprint from Alice Cooper and injected it with high-octane Power Metal adrenaline. They weren't just playing songs; they were staging a massacre. By the time they hit the stage at Chuck Landis’ Country Club in 1985, they were already local legends of theatrical gore, blending technical shredding with a stage show that made most "tough" bands look like choir boys.
This record is a violent explosion of pure 1980s metal insanity. It captures the exact moment when the band was at its most dangerous, before things got too theatrical for their own good. The energy on "The Murderess Metal Road Show" is absolutely feral. You can hear the sweat dripping off the fretboards and the front row screaming for their lives. The dual guitar assault of Gene Allen and Alex Nelson is a masterclass in how to play fast without losing that heavy, metallic edge. It is loud, obnoxious, and sounds like a riot caught on tape.
Lizzy Borden himself sounds like a possessed banshee. His vocal performance on "Council For The Cauldron" and "Red Rum" is high-pitched, piercing, and completely unhinged. He has that classic metal range that most vocalists would kill for, hitting those glass-shattering notes while the band behind him stays locked into a heavy, driving groove. The drums from Joey Scott are a total assault, providing a relentless foundation that keeps the whole circus from flying off the rails. It’s the sound of a band that is ready to burn the building down just to prove a point.
The setlist is a total killer, packed with the best tracks from their early days. Hearing "American Metal" live is a religious experience for anyone who lives for this subculture. It’s an anthem that actually means something when played with this much aggression. The inclusion of the cover "Live And Let Die" is a stroke of genius, showing they could take a classic and make it sound like it was written in a dungeon in Hollywood. Even the studio tracks at the end, like "(Wake Up) Time To Die", keep the intensity high, proving they didn't need a crowd to sound menacing.
This reissue is the ultimate treasure for any serious collector. The red and blue "American Metal" vinyl looks incredible, and the fact that it finally brings this legendary show back to the turntable is a win for the scene. The mastering is top-tier, making the guitars sound like serrated blades while keeping that authentic, raw live atmosphere. It’s a piece of history that shows why Lizzy Borden was one of the few bands that could actually back up their crazy image with some of the best metal ever to come out of California. This is essential listening for the obsessed.
Score: 9.0
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