Lizzy Borden/Tokyo,Japan 1987

LIZZY BORDEN, along with W.A.S.P. and TWISTED SISTER, was a standard-bearer of shock rock in the 80s. The vacuum-packed original recording of their phantom-like first performance in Japan is a new discovery. It has already been 10 years since the band’s return to Japan (2010), which was said to be a miracle, but the only performance they had ever performed in Japan during the Golden Age before that was once. This work is an exquisite audience recording that records the whole story of such “November 8, 1987: NHK Hall” performance. Their first visit to Japan was made possible by the sudden rise in attention due to their masterpiece “VISUAL LIES”, but first, let’s look back at that time with the schedule.・January 1st + 17th: North America #1 (2 performances) ・April 24th / August 14th + 15th: LA (3 performances) ・August 28th + 30th: UK (2 performances)《September 5th “VISUAL LIES” released on October 9th – 31st: North America #2 (3 performances) – November 8th: Japan performance ←★This work★ – November 28th – December 6th: North America #3 (5 performances) This is LIZZY BORDEN in 1987. In their case, records from that time were limited, and it is difficult to determine whether this was really all there was or whether the records were simply lost. In any case, there is no doubt that the miraculous visit to Japan happened two months after “VISUAL LIES”. This work, which records such a once-in-a-lifetime scene, is a scorching Odin recording that blows away its preciousness. This is an original recording of this work that was given to me by the recording artist himself, but it is wonderfully clear. Although the balance is a bit on the high-pitched side, the drums have a clear outline and each hit resonates with a loud roar, and the vocals are clearly transmitted down to every single word of the lyrics. The twin guitars are beautiful even when each solo dances wildly or when the harmonies approach, and the bass has a solid line (albeit a bit recessed). The scene from 33 years ago has been beautifully revived. What is even more real is the enthusiasm on site. This is really amazing! Of course, the beautiful performance sound was the main focus, but it was the loud cheers that ignited it and set it on fire. The enthusiasm of the fans who rushed to see them in Japan for just one night was real, and their every move on stage was followed by a tidal wave of cheers, which led to a huge chorus of choruses. At the scene, Lizzie sings in a semi-pantomime-like performance, with blood and flesh flying off the mannequin’s neck with a guillotine. It is a super real live album where you can see the impact of that scene. Of course, it is precisely because the music is amazing that it brings out such fierce enthusiasm. Let me introduce the set here.・GIVE ‘EM THE AXE: Give ‘Em The Ax/Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll ・LOVE YOU TO PIECES: Psychopath/Red Rum/American Metal ・MENACE TO SOCIETY: Love Kills/Notorious/Terror On The Town ・TERROR RISING :Catch Your Death/Terror Rising/VISUAL LIES: Den Of Thieves/Lord Of The Flies/Eyes Of A Stranger/Outcast/Visual Lies/Visions/Me Against The World/Shock…and so on. Speaking of their live shows, the traditional record “THE MURDERESS METAL ROAD SHOW” comes to mind, but the main songs on their first visit to Japan are their two subsequent works “MENACE TO SOCIETY” and “VISUAL LIES”. There are only four songs “Give ‘Em The Axe,” “Psychopath,” “Red Rum,” and “American Metal” that overlap with the official live version, and there are a lot of delicious masterpieces. In any case, it’s an intensely realistic impact album. Shock rock has never really taken root in Japan, so much so that even the king Alice Cooper would struggle, but that’s simply because there are so few opportunities to experience it. LIZZY BORDEN’s first meeting with Japan was so intense that I was convinced of this, and a tremendous show was unfolding. This is a miraculous live album that vacuum-packs such a unique historical scene from the opening sound effects to the closing announcement using the movie “The Shining”. I’m just cursing the lack of literary talent that keeps repeating “awesome”, but I have no choice but to listen to this impact. Live at NHK Hall, Tokyo, Japan 8th November 1987 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) Disc 1 (47:45) 01. Intro (feat. Redrum) 02. Den Of Thieves 03. Give ‘Em The Ax 04. Lord Of The Flies 05. Love Kills 06. Eyes Of A Stranger 07. Catch Your Death Intro 08. Outcast 09. Notorious 10. Catch Your Death 11. Visual Lies 12. Bass Solo 13. Visions Disc 2 (42:46) 01. Guitar Solo 02. Psychopath 03. Terror On The Town 04. Me Against The World 05. Red Rum (cut between songs) 06. Shock 07. Terror Rising 08. Drum Solo 09. American Metal 10. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll Lizzy Borden – Vocals Gene Allen – Guitar Joe Holmes – Guitar★The first live performance in Japan of Joe Holmes, who played guitar for Ozzy Osbourne in the late 90’s. Michael Davis – Bass Joey Scott – Drums