What a thrilling time to be a Crazy Lixx fan! Then again, has there ever NOT been? Since they first hit the scene with their now classic debut, Loud Minority (2007), Crazy Lixx have been rocking those in the know with one slab of unapologetically badass ’80s arena metal worship after the next, cranking a new album out like clockwork roughly every couple years. So considering its been a little over three years since Street Lethal (2024’s Two Shots at Glory was a compilation of re-recordings), your boy has been going through some serious Crazy Lixx withdrawal. Thankfully, just before reaching the seizure stage of said withdrawal, Danny Rexon and the gang have come to my rescue with a brand new album, Thrill of the Bite.
Now whereas the last few Crazy Lixx outings boasted strong AOR undertones (of which there are some to be found here as well), Thrill of the Bite is a largely more forceful, compact, and iron-fisted release by Crazy Lixx standards. By no means would I call this a metal album, through and through. If anything, it’s a throwback to their early days, specifically the Loud Minority and New Religion (2010) eras, coupled with a newfound maturity both musically and production-wise, the latter of which sees Rexon at the helm. When we interviewed Rexon last month, he described this album as having a more “distinct sound” than past releases, and we’re inclined to agree.
Crazy Lixx wastes no time whatsoever, kicking things off with some fast and fiery euro melodic metal in “Highway Hurricane”. Evoking shadows of early Europe and fellow revivalists H.E.A.T, it’s a powerful opener that grabs the listener full force, setting the stage for a barrage of old school headbangers, sleazy singalongs, and over the top nostalgia. Amped up cuts like “Call of the Wild” and “Final Warning” satisfy those who like their metal on the melodic and uptempo side. Contrasting these are streetwise rockers like “Little Miss Dangerous” and “Stick It Out”, both boasting groove and swagger reminiscent of Skid Row on their debut.
The dreamy “Hunt for Danger” stands alone as the album’s sole AOR foray, hooking us in with its ethereal soundscape and hypnotic melodies. And as for the rest of Thrill, it’s an all out feast of short and sweet, chorus-centric rockers, carrying on that ancient radio-friendly tradition established by Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Dokken, and so forth in the glorious ’80s. The riffs are huge, and the wall of harmonies that pummel our eardrums with each infectiously catchy chorus? Those are even bigger. It’s go big or go home for Crazy Lixx, and these dudes have no plans on heading home anytime soon.
Yet again, Crazy Lixx have crafted an all killer, no filler glam metal throwback that manages to pay homage to yesteryear without sounding like a rehash of tired clichés. It’s unapologetically Crazy Lixx, from start to finish, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Of course, I’d selfishly like to hear them explore their metal side even further on a future release, the same way it looks like fellow countrymen H.E.A.T will on their upcoming album, but that’s just my denim and leather clad ways talking. Thrill of the Bite is guaranteed to have you rockin’ all day and all nite!
9 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Glam Metal
For fans of: H.E.A.T, Skid Row, Dokken
Listening to it now!! Just dropped on streaming services!