Lionsheart - Under Fire (2021)

Following his departure from UK heavy metal thrashers Onslaught, ex-Grim Reaper vocalist Steve Grimmett set about forming a more melodic band to suit his vocal abilities and musical inclinations, enlisting twin brothers Mark (guitar) and Steve Owers (bass), Graham Collet (keyboards) and Anthony Christmas (drums). Lionsheart signed to Music For Nations, but the Owers brothers departed before the release of their self-titled debut, with illness leaving Mark Owers unable to tour, and they were replaced by Nick Burr (guitar, ex-Killers; Idol Rich) and Zak Bajjon (bass). Lionsheart ignored grunge trends in favour of guitar-driven melodic hard rock with high-quality songwriting, and despite minimal reaction at home and in the USA, the band achieved deserved success in Europe and major status in Japan. Pride In Tact saw Lionsheart extending their approach from near-AOR balladry to harder blues-rock, with Burr proving equal to the task of following Mark Owers’ performance on the debut.