Album review: LIONHEART – The Reality Of Miracles

Metalville Records [Release date 31.07.20]

Lionheart’s second album since returning in 2016 and big expectations from this reviewer as their 2017 release ‘Second Nature’ was a classy piece of melodic hard rock.

Lionheart have done it again, quite possibly pipping ‘Second Nature’ due to the fact they have some excellent melodic rockers like ‘All I Want Is You’ and ‘Thine Is The Kingdom’. Both utilise the band’s powerful backing vocals to great effect, bit like the famous Uriah Heep choir on that band’s albums. Also vocalist Lee Small, who has never sounded better, is a real plus for the band. Still reminds you of Glenn Hughes at times (less the histrionics!).

‘High Plains Drifter’ is a proper toe tapper of a tune, one for playing loud on your stereo, whilst ‘Kingdom Of The East’ pays homage to Japan and their fanatical fans, who kept many a rock band going during the leaner years of the 90’s.

‘Behind The Wall’ is a big production ballad – not only a chance for Lee Small to shine, but it also highlights the keys/arrangements/production of Steve Mann, a key ingredient to the album’s sound and appeal. Another good example of this is ‘Still It Rains On Planet Earth (Lacrimosa)’, complete with a spoken word intro that sounds like Jeremy Irons, but most probably isn’t!

Lionheart veer between the lighter end of metal and the heavier end of melodic rock/AOR, to great effect. This is one of 2020’s best releases and a sure fire contender for many a year end best of. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)