Malice - License To Kill (CD) - CD

Details: Digitally remastered edition including 16 page full color booklet that features 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, new photos and new interview. For a brief moment in time it looked as if Los Angeles based power metal band Malice would assume a position as one of the leading bands of the era, following hot on the heels of big seller's such as RATT, Mötley Crüe and Dokken. However, because of various frustrations and delays the band's debut album In The Beginning... largely underachieved, leaving them cast adrift as followers rather than trend setters. It was a blow that other similar acts may not have recovered from but for Malice it was the catalyst that spurred them on to even greater creative heights. One of the problems the band originally faced was an interminable delay with the recording of their debut album. This time around the band played it hard and fast, recruiting seasoned British producer Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Y&T, Savatage), a man used to cranking up the energy level and making records that not only sounded great but also on-point. Issued in 1986, on the Atlantic label, the album far surpassed the quality of their debut record, attracting stellar reviews and setting the scene for intensive live work. With it's razor-sharp guitar work and concise song writing the record boasts a number of highlights, including 'Against The Empire', 'Chain Gang Woman' and the title track itself, arguably the band's finest moment. Sadly however, despite a valiant attempt, momentum could not be restored and with main man Jay Reynolds opting to join Megadeth the band soon disbanded.