The Burning (British Lion album)

The Burning
Studio album by
British Lion
Released17 January 2020
StudioBarnyard Studio, Harlow, Essex, UK
GenreHeavy metal
Length60:11
Label
ProducerSteve Harris
British Lion chronology
British Lion
(2012) 		The Burning
(2020)
Singles from The Burning
  1. "Spit Fire"
    Released: 26 October 2018
  2. "Lightning"
    Released: 31 October 2019
  3. "The Burning"
    Released: 13 December 2019

The Burning is the second album by Iron Maiden's bass guitarist Steve Harris's British Lion project.[1][2][3][4][5] It was released on 17 January 2020 and was produced by Harris. It was the first album under the British Lion moniker, transforming the project from solo to band.

The album was preceded by the singles "Spit Fire" on 26 October 2018, "Lightning" on 31 October 2019 and the title track "The Burning" on 13 December 2019.[6][7][8][9]

Following the release of The Burning, critics published reviews on their thoughts of the album. Metal Planet Music voiced that "the first thing that strikes you is the music, great hard rock with melody and class, but it’s the heart and emotion that will stay with you long after the last note rings out. Coming eight years after their debut, ‘The Burning’ is the second album by British Lion and the Steve Harris led quintet have made a record that is at once modern, nostalgic and timeless".[10]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Metal Hammer Italia62/100[11]
Cryptic Rock[12]
Classic Rock[13]
Kerrang[14]
Metal Temple9/10[15]
Distorted Sound8/10[16]
Planet Mosh[17]

Kerrang! mainly spoke upon the vocals of the album stating that "the band's debut was rather a baptism of fire for singer Richard Taylor, who had to weather some predictable yet redundant criticisms comparing him to Bruce Dickinson from Steve’s “other” band. He sings like he has a point to prove throughout The Burning. A telling sign of the frontman's burgeoning confidence comes on "Elysium" – a song that boasts a killer chorus but an even better final passage, as he belts out a series of absolutely massive sustained notes over a swelling choral section. Equally impressive is his ability to extract emotion from a song. Whether he's communing with lost souls on "Lightning" or offering a consolatory ear on closer "Native Son", he often brings a moving sense of fragility to the fore. Clearly, this particular lion has more at its disposal than claws alone"[18]

Metal Temple deemed the album a 9/10 saying “The Burning” is just what a sophomore album should be. A continuation, with enthusiasm, growth and development. Harris is his usual subdued bass thumping brilliance. Hawkins and Leslie's dual guitar attack is on point, Dawson's drums precise and well deftly executed. Taylor's vocals add a final layer of confidence to the formula that seals the deal. British Lion's "The Burning" is refreshing in its telling of the story, and hints of even better tales in the future.[19]

Classic Rock rated the album a 4/5, and believes "The Burning sounds vastly more punchy and powerful than its predecessor, while also giving the distinct impression that British Lion have evolved into a fiery and characterful ensemble with a strong identity of their own". The review continued by stating that "we are still firmly in traditional rock territory here, and Harris's love of UFO and Golden Earring remains as cheerfully conspicuous as ever, but thanks to a brighter, breezier sound and unmistakable hints of looseness and swagger, everything from the briskly uplifting title track to the brooding hulk of "Bible Black" sparkles with freshness and weirdly youthful vigour".[20]

Cryptic Rock said British Lion are one of the more interesting and intriguing side projects in Hard rock and Heavy metal today. Arguably the most dynamic and engaging bassist of his time, Steve Harris is best known for emphatically standing on stage with his foot on the amp while pounding out ferocious bass riffs for Iron Maiden. Hearing these lions roar, let's step into the cage and feel The Burning. As a first time listener of British Lion, one will immediately notice the distinct difference between British Lion and the melodic technical ecstasy of Iron Maiden.[21]

KNAC stated that "good things come to those who wait". "The Burning is a molten magma of soaring and even syncopated vocals that hover over sometimes haunting neo-Celtic melodies and sometimes epic, wistful and melancholic lyrical themes".[22]

The album was voted Album of the Year by Paul Stenning for BraveWords.[23]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs are written by Steve Harris, Richard Taylor, and David Hawkins, except where noted.

The Burning track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."City of Fallen Angels" 5:20
2."The Burning" 5:15
3."Father Lucifer" 4:38
4."Elysium" 5:11
5."Lightning" 5:49
6."Last Chance"
  • Grahame Leslie
  • Ian Roberts
  • Taylor
  • Harris
6:05
7."Legend" 4:06
8."Spit Fire" 6:19
9."Land of the Perfect People"
  • Taylor
  • Harris
4:52
10."Bible Black" 6:33
11."Native Son" 6:03
Total length:60:11

Personnel

[edit]
  • Steve Harris – bass guitars, keyboards, production
  • Richard Taylor – vocals
  • David Hawkins – guitars
  • Grahame Leslie – guitars
  • Simon Dawson – drums

Additional personnel

[edit]
  • Tony Newton – engineering, recording, mixing
  • Ade Emsley – mastering
  • John McMurtrie – photography
  • Gustavo Sazes – album cover
  • Matt Cox – templating, booklet artwork

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[24] 131
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[25] 89
Scottish Albums (OCC)[26] 28
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[27] 46
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[28] 27
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[29] 3

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Childers, Chad. "British Lion Reveal 'The Burning' Album Details + 2020 U.S. Tour Read More: British Lion Reveal 'The Burning' Album Details + 2020 U.S. Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  2. ^ Ryan, Tim. "Local CD pick: 'The Burning," British Lion". sctimes.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  3. ^ Monkhouse, Paul. "Album Review : British Lion – 'The Burning". Metal Planet Music. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  4. ^ Popoff, Martin. "BRITISH LION – "IT'S EMOTIONAL AND IT'S POWERFUL AND IT'S REAL"". BraveWords. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  5. ^ Johnson, Kevin. "Steve Harris and British Lion Release "The Burning"". No Treble. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  6. ^ "IRON MAIDEN Bassist's BRITISH LION: Watch Music Video For 'The Burning' Title Track". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  7. ^ Kielty, Martin. "Listen to Steve Harris' New British Lion Song 'The Burning' Read More: Listen to Steve Harris' New British Lion Song 'The Burning'". ultimateclassicrock.com. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  8. ^ Colothan, Scott. "Exclusive: British Lion premiere 'The Burning' video". planetradio.co.uk. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  9. ^ Graff, Gary. "Steve Harris Shares Title Track to British Lion's 'The Burning': Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  10. ^ Authoradmin (22 January 2020). "Album Review : British Lion – 'The Burning". Metal Planet Music. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  11. ^ Schwarz, Andrea. "British Lion – The Burning". Metal Hammer Italia. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  12. ^ Tanzi, Vito. "BRITISH LION – THE BURNING (ALBUM REVIEW)". Cryptic Rock. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  13. ^ Lawson, Dow. "British Lion: 'Arry's other army return on sizzling form". Louder. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  14. ^ Garner, George. "ALBUM REVIEW: BRITISH LION – THE BURNING". Kerrang!. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  15. ^ Nowels, Dave. "British Lion – The Burning". Metal-Temple.com. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  16. ^ Leaver, Elliot. "ALBUM REVIEW: The Burning – British Lion". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  17. ^ Colson, Stephen. "The Burning – British Lion". PlanetMosh. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  18. ^ "Album Review: British Lion – The Burning". Kerrang!. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  19. ^ bkarr272. "Metal-Temple.com :: British Lion – The Burning (CD Review)". www.metal-temple.com. Retrieved 16 April 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ January 2020, Dom Lawson 17 (17 January 2020). "British Lion: 'Arry's other army return on sizzling form". Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved 16 April 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Tanzi, Vito (15 January 2020). "British Lion - The Burning (Album Review)". Cryptic Rock. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  22. ^ "KNAC.COM - Reviews - BRITISH LION 'The Burning'". www.knac.com. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  23. ^ "BravePicks 2020 - the Scribes Speak! Paul Stenning".
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – British Lion – The Burning" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  25. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – British Lion – The Burning" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  26. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  27. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – British Lion – The Burning". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  28. ^ "Swisscharts.com – British Lion – The Burning". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  29. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
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