* En anglais uniquement
This melodic rock quintet, originally from Michigan, was formed by Ron Taylor (vocals),
Steve Blaze (guitar),
Jon Ster (guitar, keyboards),
Rob Stratton (bass), and
Danny King (drums). The band was taken under the wing of
Ratt guitarist
Robbin Crosby and named
Lillian Axe. Produced by
Crosby, their 1988 debut was a fine amalgam of infectious rockers and hard-edged pop tunes.
Love + War was even more impressive, featuring extended atmospheric compositions that were both anthemic and memorable. However, the record sold poorly and
MCA dropped the band from their roster. In 1990,
King and
Stratton were replaced by
Gene Barnett and Darrin DeLatte, respectively, after which the Music for Nations independent label became their home for the next few years. Following the release of 1993's
Psychoschizophrenia, the band decided to call it a day, with
Blaze going on to form
Near Life Experience with his brother
Craig Nunemacher.
Lillian Axe re-formed briefly at the end of the decade to promote the rarities collection
Fields of Yesterday. In 2007, after numerous lineup changes,
Blaze and company returned to the studio with new vocalist
Derrick LeFevre to record
Waters Rising.
Sad Day on Planet Earth arrived in 2009, followed by
Deep Red Shadows in 2010, and XI: The Days Before Tomorrow in 2012. One Night in the Temple followed in 2014. ~ James Christopher Monger