Review: Lionheart – The Grace Of A Dragonfly

Metalville (February 23^rd 2024)

Reviewer: Chris O’Connor

Lionheart are a band with a genuinely impressive body of work behind them- when you discuss quality. They may only put out albums occasionally, but when they do? They are always on the money! The band is something of a UK supergroup: Lee Small (The Sweet, Atack, ex-Shy, ex-Native Cain etc) – Lead vocals, Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden/Praying Mantis) – Lead guitar & backing vocals, Steve Mann (MSG, ex-Liar) – Lead guitar & backing vocals, Rocky Newton (Grand Slam, ex-MSG) – Bass guitar & backing vocals, and Clive Edwards (ex-Pat Travers, Uli Jon Roth & Wild Horses) – Drums, percussion.

The album is out 23rd Feb on Metalville Records throughout Europe. in a gorgeous CD digipak and on limited silver vinyl for collectors. It’s also being released in Japan via Ward Records, and the Japanese copy will come with a bonus track a brand-new recording of ‘Towers Of Silver’. Reading the album’s song titles, you would be forgiven for imagining that you are going to be immersed into a concept album, but in Lee’s own words: “It’s not a concept album but the whole record is themed around WW2, some songs are based on real events in history, and others are fictional”. When interviewed elsewhere, Steve Mann also said “The album is a theme rather than a concept”.

Four albums into their career, and Lionheart are delivering their music with the usual style, flair, and elan. Equal parts AOR, Melodic Rock, and even Pomp Rock, the music is lovingly crafted, and lyrically the band is doing something genuinely interesting too. Why? At face value, as I have already stated, it appears to be an album about WW2, however, when you dig deeper, you realise that what is being said here – is at heart, this is actually an anti-war album. It is done in a mature and eloquent fashion, and the band should be loudly applauded for taking such a stance. Such sentiments have never been more timely – given the chaotic and war-torn times around the globe now.

Musically, you know what to expect, it’s beautifully melodic, guitarists Dennis Stratton and Steve Mann make for a perfect pairing, their interplay is joyous, they make it sound so very easy. The rhythm section of Rocky Newton and Clive Edwards has to be one of the most underrated units, locking down the bottom end with real skill and power. Vocalist Lee Small has finally stepped away from simply being seen as a Glenn Hughes clone. His last releases and this one particularly, have found him finding his own glorious voice, and here he is pretty much peerless.

From the opening chords of ‘Declaration’, it is immediately apparent how special this album is, the band has collectively penned truly timeless songs, taking the “Don’t bore us – get to the chorus” motif very much to mind. The songs are a nicely balanced selection of up-tempo rockers, mid-paced classics, and slower almost power ballads, and the running order works perfectly. I’ve listened to this album repeatedly, and I keep wanting to revisit it, surely the mark of a quality release.

Picking individual tracks for praise seems a little churlish, but ‘This Is A Woman’s War’, ‘Little Ships’, ‘Just A Man’, the aforementioned ‘Declaration’, and the wonderful title track all stand out for me personally. ‘Grace Of A Dragonfly’ is a truly tasteful and timeless album that should appeal to a very wide audience. Congratulations to the band for yet again delivering the goods in colossal style. This album deserves to be in your collection! So, you know what you need to do!

Tracklist:

1. Declaration
2. Flight 19
3. V is for Victory
4. This is a Woman’s War
5. The Longest Night
6. The Eagle’s Nest
7. Little Ships
8. Just A Man
9. UXB
10. The Grace of a Dragonfly
11. Remembrance, Praying for World Peace