Lizzy Borden – Master of Disguise (Reissue – 2007)
Metal Blade Records recently reissued Lizzy Borden’s 1989 release Master of Disguise. This release is part of their 25th Anniversary Editions that are being released in 2007.
Per Metal Blade Records, the 25th Anniversary Edition Series are to commemorate 25 years of the LOUDEST, HARDEST, HEAVIEST and the very best HEAVY METAL on the planet, METAL BLADE RECORDS will re-release seminal Metal albums from artists that have and continue to shape and influence the genre.
Did Lizzy Borden shape and influence the genre? I can’t honestly say. If it wasn’t for some recent mentions of Lizzy Borden over at Metal Mark’s site, I don’t know if I would have picked this up. I can honestly say that before 2007, I have not heard any Lizzy Borden songs. For some reason, this is one of those bands that I passed over back in the day.
Metal Blade sweetened the deal by adding Bonus songs and a DVD, all for the price of a single CD. I stumbled on this on my last trip to the local records shop and decided to give this a shot.
Master of Disguise features some guest stars including David Michael-Phillips from King Kobra, and Big Cock, and Joey Vera from Armored Saint and Fates Warning.
Lead singer, Lizzy Borden reminds of Bruce Dickinson at time, but I think he sings at a higher register than Bruce.
The music itself is somewhat different from the hair metal releases of 1989. This is a harder yet melodic rock release that is almost glam in nature. Lizzy Borden fans call this the Lizzy Borden solo cd and not a true band effort. Either way is a solid hard rock effort that I am glad to have taken a chance on in 2007.
The highlights on this disc are the Iron Maiden like Master of Disguise, Love is a Crime, Sins of the Flesh, Never Too Young, and We Got the Power.
The bonus tracks Vampire’s Kiss and The Orchestra really didn’t add anything to the original release but are a nice pickup if you didn’t own this cd already.
Strangely enough, two videos that I never managed to catch during the 80’s MTV Head Banger’s Ball, were those below:
Love is a Crime
We Got the Power
Master of Disguise is one of those CD’s that gets better with every listen. This disc will appeal to just about everyone that is a fan of 80’s Hard Rock. This disc is a solid intro and may whet your appetite for their new disc coming out this summer. You can find more information on Lizzy Borden at LizzyBorden.com. or at their myspace page here.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Master of Disguise
- One False Move
- Love is a Crime
- Sins of the Flesh
- Phantoms
- Never Too Young
- Be One of Us
- Psychodrama
- Waiting in the Wings
- Roll Over and Play Dead
- Under the Rose
- We Got the Power
- Vampires Kiss (Bonus Track)
- The Orchestra (Bonus Track)
Lizzy Borden is:
Lizzy Borden – Vocals
David Michael Phillips – Guitars
Ronnie Judge – Guitars
Mychal Davis – Bass
Joey Scott – Drums
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No need to be shy, this album should have received a full 10 rating! Without all the so called critic bias or pre-anticipated expectations, this album is an inarguable masterpiece! Well ahead of it’s time!
Loving it! Lizzy Borden Rules! ~Melody D.
This one is different and both it and Visual Lies are more hard rock. Where as the early albums and 2000’s Deal with the devil are more metal. Lizzy says he toured for three years for this album. I don’t know why that is, but he did. I am looking forward to the long overdue new album.