Lady Beast-Metal Immortal

Infernö Records
2016

Lady Beast is five-piece metal band that hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has been active since 2009. It was sometime back in 2013 when I first discovered this N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired traditional heavy metal group and their 2012 self-titled release and I've been a huge fan ever since. Due to drop in a few short days, "Metal Immortal" is not only Lady Beast's latest recording, but arguably their best one to date! This aptly-titled EP picks right up where last year's "Lady Beast II" left off while simultaneously showcasing this group's remarkable ability to make huge musical strides between each new body of work. Whether or not that has anything to do with the additional of new lead guitarist Andy Ramage (Oh Shit They're Going to Kill Us, ex-Relique, ex-Vrolok (live), ex-Argus) this time around is open to debate, but it's not as if his rock-solid skills hurt any when it comes to such explosive numbers as "Metal Martyr", "The Devil's Due", and "Lady of the Battle"! With four new tracks in all, "Metal Immortal" is as good as it gets when it comes to an epic band delivering top-notch heavy metal and that is one statement that I do not post in jest! From the word GO (!) this hard-hitting (if sadly underrated) band has been taking care of business and it is has never been as obvious as it is now that they want the world and nothing less! Listening to a well-constructed EP like this should give you no doubt as to the ability of musicians Chris Tritschler (rhythm guitar), Greg Colaizzi (bass), and Adam Ramage (drums), but as with every every other recording that Lady Beast has put out there is one undeniable highlight. Naturally that would be the unmistakable voice of front-woman Deborah Levine. This versatile lead singer is hand's down one of the best in the business and her enthusiastic attitude and uncompromising approach to the mic is simply beyond description! Deborah Levine pumps extra Grade A rocket fuel into what is already one hell of an aggressive heavy metal band and in the process she makes me reconsider how I feel about the city of Pittsburgh itself!! As a long-suffering fan of the Cleveland Browns that's not an easy thing to do, but given the undeniable chemistry of this amazing singer and her band and this EP's unbelievable quality I'm willing to let bygones be bygones!! Soon to be available on vinyl, CD, and in digital, "Metal Immortal" is a must-have release from one band that really should start to become better known for just that reason alone. Or to put it another way, Lady Beast is very close to the point where you could blindly buy one it's recordings and expect nothing but the absolute best. At this point in time I honestly cannot think of too many bands out there that I would say that about....

Lady Beast-Lady Beast II

Cobra Cabana Records/Inferno Records
2015

Lady Beast is a female-fronted traditional heavy metal band that is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and influenced by both classic metal bands and the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene. The obviously-titled "Lady Beast II" is the groups sophomore release as well as being the follow-up to 2013's "Lady Beast". That album made my best of list for 2013 and this album would make my best of list for 2015. That is if I make one. As of late I'm not very good at following up on things. Case in point this album! I actually got a promo for "Lady Beast II" way back in April* on this year, but in typical fashion I dropped the ball as far as my coverage of the LP was concerned. Long story short I had started my review and then I was waiting for the official word as to when I could post it. While that was happening I scrapped my initial write-up as I was displeased with it. I'm sure you can guess what happened next. Yep, I forgot all about reviewing it and as spring turned into summer the album was pushed to the back of the pile. Naturally that proved to be a mistake. Especially as this album happens to be a real treat! As always the band is lead by vocalist Deborah Levine (she's awesome!) and on "Lady Beast II" this Pittsburgh five piece mixes together the best parts of classic heavy metal, hard rock and the N.W.O.B.H.M. scene of yesteryear. Even though it's not as cut and dry as this might sound, Lady Beast  could be seen as a female-fronted Iron Maiden whose choice collection of influences ranges from Judas Priest to Doro! The Iron Maiden appreciation does get a little thick at times, but it's hard to fault Deborah Levine and her bandmates as we are talking about one of the greatest bands of all time! With two full-length albums and a crap load of (positively-received) live shows to their name now this is one traditional heavy metal band that deserves a bigger audience. For now Lady Beast will just have to be content with the knowledge that they are keeping the dream that is true heavy metal alive. There's that and then there is the fact that they are offering hope for those of us who easily become cynical thanks to all the shitty modern metal recordings that flood the airwaves! Between those two observations it's an easy decision to recommend Lady Beast's latest release! 

*"Lady Beast II" was released on March 28, 2015 on Cobra Cabana Records and on June 21, 2015 on Inferno Records.

Lady Beast-Lady Beast

Infernö Records
2013

"I am Lady Beast" Lady Beast front-woman Deborah Levine roars as this self-titled release comes charging forward like a hungry lion from the days of coliseums and gladiators! This Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 5-piece might not hail from my favorite place on earth (I'm a Browns fan after all!), but man alive if they aren't another perfect example of the greatness of true heavy metal I don't know what is! Deborah Levine is one powerful lead singer and this self-titled EP, which was originally issued in August of 2012 on LP, is another impressive re-issue from our friends over at Infernö Records. This female-fronted heavy metal act was formed by Deborah Levine and bassist Greg Colaizzi (Wrathcobra) back in 2009 and are already making a name for themselves thanks to their blend of traditional heavy metal and New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Lady Beast, which is a great name for a band (female-fronted or not), draw from the likes of Dio, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Doro/Warlock, Scorpions, Accept, Saxon, Motörhead and Thin Lizzy to create their own sensational take on the genre. Seriously, where does Infernö Records find all of these great bands? First Death Rides A Horse and now this bunch?

Anyway, the band went through the usual line-up changes before settling down with the current line-up. Along with Deborah Levine and Greg Colaizzi Lady Beast is filled out by lead guitarist Tommy Kinnett, rhythm guitarist Twiz, aka: Christopher Tritschler (Carousel), and  drummer Adam Ramage of crossover act Oh Shit They're Going to Kill Us (another great name for a band!). Infernö Records will be re-issuing Lady Beast's 8 track EP on CD and cassette with the CD version only including a cool cover of "Ram It Down" by Judas Priest. Now, speaking of the band's choice of cover, which really is quite fun as well as being cool, Judas Priest are obvious one of the other big influences of the band. Tommy Kinnett's leads are straight out of the school of British heavy metal and add the perfect compliment to Deborah's forceful vocals. For a band with only one recording under their belt so far the talent level is superb as there isn't a dub to be found on this EP. With female-fronted metal bands suddenly springing up all over the place a band like Lady Beast needs to do a lot to stand out and yet, even as young of a band as they are on paper, the group has a maturity about them and a remarkably focused vibe. Lady Beast have a familiar sound to them that is comfortable and easy to get caught up. This is another new band that I could see making some serious waves even if the market is getting over-flooded with female-fronted heavy metal acts. My only complaint about this re-release is that even if you count the cover of "Ram It Down" it just feels too short. I'm left longing to hear more from Lady Beast now! Here's hoping that A) it isn't too long until the band issues a follow-up to "Lady Beast" and B) seeing as they hail from Pittsburgh they come down and play live in my part of Ohio soon!