The Shadow Lizzards are a band from Nuremberg, Germany that plays Progressive Rock with a retro touch. The new album “Paradise” was released on May 24, 2024 via Tonzonen Records and contains 8 tracks ranging from 2 to over 7 minutes in length. The organ opens “Eden’s Gate” an energetic and engaging track with a killer bassline and solid drumming. The vocals are dynamic and incisive, while the intertwining guitar and organ create hypnotic atmospheres. An interweaving of vocal and instrumental parts with a prolonged guitar solo insert in the middle part, then evolving into dark and melancholic atmospheres and ending. A gritty guitar riff intertwined with organ opens “Stop The Time,” taking us back to the Heavy Rock sounds of the late 1960s. A warm and expressive vocal interprets the lyrics of this intense track. The tempo changes are an added warmth, allowing a more elaborate and heavy sound to be combined with more melodic and accessible passages with choral refrains. Very interesting is the solo organ cue in the final instrumental section, concluding the track in a musical crescendo. “De Ángeles Y Diablos” is characterised by good riffs and a more rock-oriented, original and very addictive sound. A good passage full of energy and refined passages, the retro touch is more pronounced here but the band manages to bring it into a personal and modern context at the same time. A good imosto between organ and guitar in the riffs open “One Inch Closer,” rhythmic and engaging with a solid rhythm section. Melodic rhythms counterbalance more hreavy instrumental sections with organ and guitar in evidence over a gritty bass line. In the finale, the intensity increases, before returning to the opening theme and concluding. The album’s shortest track “Prelude” features a first part of acoustic arpeggios that evolves by increasing in intensity and incorporating more electronic sounds. “Mother Earth” is a well constructed and developed Rock ballad, engaging and with a solid rhythm section. The warm and expressive vocals accompany us throughout the song, alternating with intense instrumental sections with the guitar and keyboards as protagonists. A gritty, scratchy Rock track “Gettin’ Rid Of,” opens with guitar and organ riffs and elaborate drumming. The vocal is dynamic, following the continuous tempo changes that well develop and enhance the breakdowns between organ and guitar. The long duration is exploited to evolve the central theme of the song while keeping the listener engaged. The album ends with “Homecoming,” the longest track, exceeding seven minutes in length. A long and atmospheric intro slowly immerses us into the track, which combines Psychedelia, Space Rock, softer passages with more acidic and scratchy ones. Interesting guitar solos and prolonged instrumental sections, the track’s real added value. An interesting album, with vocal and instrumental parts intertwining to create an original and personal sound between Psychedelia, Post-Rock and Progressive. A recommended listen for all lovers of new sounds of Progressive music with good instrumental textures and intense vocal parts.
Tracklist
01. Eden’s Gate (06:25)
02. Stop The Time (03:28)
03.De Ángeles Y Diablos (03:33)
04. One Inch Closer (04:33)
05. Prelude (02:15)
06. Mother Earth (05:10)
07. Gettin’ Rid Of (04:05)
08. Homecoming (07:27)
Lineup
Jochen Leistner / Vocals, Bass, Organ
Kris Karla / Guitar
Oliver Pfeiffer / Drums
