Lion's Share's self-titled debut album saw the light of day in early 1995 (late 1994 in Japan), and is met with universal acclaim. In 1996, the band ink a worldwide deal with the Century Media label (JVC in Japan), in the process tightening their sound by becoming heavier and more guitar-oriented than ever before, as evidenced by the band's sophomore effort, simply entitled "Two". The band is also the only Scandinavian band to appear on the "A Tribute to Judas Priest- Legends of Metal Vol.1", to which the group contribute their version of "A Touch of Evil". The CD also features Saxon, Mercyful Fate, Helloween, U.D.O, among others. In November and December Lion's Share join metal legends Saxon on their European tour. The "Two" album is released on January 3rd.
April and May 1997 see the band doing a 3 1/2 week European tour with Iced Earth and Nevermore. By now, Lion's Share prove to have hardcore fans all around Europe. Another tour with Saxon rounded off the year. Word is by now spreading that Lion's Share is something special and in 1998 a Scandinavian tour with U.D.O. (ex-Accept) follows. Additional club dates in Sweden take place. 1999 sees the Japanese release of the band's masterpiece, the uncompromisingly riff-laden and melodic "Fall From Grace". Packed with catchy material and featuring a sound tightened by successful touring and an increased self-confidence stemming from all the rave reviews, the album is the band's heaviest ever without losing the melodic sensibility that makes the band stand out as songwriters. Along with a stunning cover of City Boy's 1979 masterpiece, "The Day The Earth Caught Fire", the sought-after Priest cover is also included on the album.
Early 1999 sees Lion's Share touring with another legend - Dee Snider (ex-Twisted Sister). The band also makes an appearance at the renowned Sweden Rock Festival together with bands like Scorpions, Deep Purple, David Lee Roth, Manowar, Motorhead, Dio and others. In autumn 1999, the band contribute a classy version of "I Don't Believe In Love" (included on the "Perspective" 2-CD release from 2000), to an American Queensryche tribute and "Ready To Believe" (Electric Boys) to a Swedish Metal tribute that also features, among others, Yngwie Malmsteen, Entombed, In Flames and Hammerfall. The year ends on a high note, as Lion's Share announce a new record deal with Germany's Massacre Records (Playground in Sweden & Finland), and embark on an extensive Scandinavian tour with Dio, Manowar and Motorhead. A hugely successful trek, the latter tour goes a long way towards establishing the band as one of Europe's premier hard rock outfits. In 2001 the band releases the fourth album "Entrance" which also includes Yngwie Malmsteen keyboardist Mats Olausson. Lion's Share performs a number of headline shows plus another visit at Sweden Rock Festival. After a few years break from the public eye, the band has now signed a worldwide deal with AFM Records. Lion's Share roar back in 2008 with their latest release, 'Emotional Coma' and like they have before the band still manages, with this release, to put out an effort that proves they have not lost any steam, and are still one of the better bands out there when it comes to keeping their material fresh and exciting.
The Rocker and I caught up with Lars Chriss and asked him about the band's new release and they have planned for the future. Here is what he shared with us…
AAM: How long did you spend in the studio recording, 'Emotional Coma'?
Lars Chriss: Usually we spend 4-5 weeks recording and mixing an album but this time the recordings were spread out over a longer period of time simply because we could do it. This was the first album we did on digital equipment exclusively so some of the takes we did for the demos were used on the album as well. Both Sampo and I have our own home studios working with Mac and Logic Audio so we could take our time with stuff this time without going bankrupt. The drums and mixing were done in a big, expensive studio but the rest we recorded ourselves.
AAM: How would you describe Lion's Share evolution as a band?
Lars Chriss: In the beginning we were more progmetal and since we had a permanent keyboard player back then there were more keyboards and in the end a smoother sound. We’ve always been a riff band though, only this time the guitar is more present in the mix due to the lack of keyboards. I had a very clear vision of what I wanted “Emotional Coma” to be like so all new members were handpicked for a reason. This is the best line up I’ve worked with both musically and on the personal level. I think the next album will be even more of a team effort now that we’ve done one album together and played a lot live. I’ve always written from the heart, the kind of songs I would like to buy myself. I’ve never cared about trends. Unfortunately America was all Grunge and HipHop and pretty much a black hole for our kind of music during the last 15 years, but I’m glad to hear that “real” Heavy Metal is coming back over there again. Due to this America fell off our radar so this is the first album we release officially over there even though we’ve been doing real good in Europe and Japan with our first four albums.
AAM: Are you happy with the band's current lineup?
Lars Chriss: These guys are my brothers. We are a great team. We have very much in common from being born the same year within 4 months to growing up with the same influences.
AAM: Talk to about the making of 'Emotional Coma'. The ups and downs.
Lars Chriss: There were no downs from what I can remember. We had a very positive vibe from everyone involved and I think it shows on the album. The chemistry was great and the album sounds fresh and is filled with natural energy from a bunch of guys that play well together. The only down thing I can think of is that Richard couldn’t be a permanent member since he was already on his way to move to Australia to get married.
AAM: What are you plans as far as touring? Will you guys be doing any shows in America?
Lars Chriss: We already did some cool festivals and club gigs in Europe including Manowar’s “Magic Circle Festival” that’s out on DVD now and that features two songs from our show there. We would love to play in America but since we don’t have a management or booking agency over there we are not sure how and when it will happen. Hopefully the U.S. fans will support us by buying the record and request us at promoters. If there’s a demand it will make things much easier for us to make it happen.
AAM: Lars, as side from Lion's Share, what other projects are you working on?
Lars Chriss: I don’t have much time over for anything else, but Sampo and I released an album in the more traditional hard rock style under the band name ROAD TO RUIN a couple of months ago in Europe. It’s in the style of Whitesnake, Rainbow, Thin Lizzy etc. and I think it will be out in the States through Locomotive before the summer. We have Matti Alfonzetti (ex Scott Gorham, Jagged Edge, Skintrade) on vocals and Thomas Broman (Michael Schenker, Electric Boys, John Norum) on drums. Check it out at www.roadtoruin.org
AAM: Are you satisfied with the response you received from the new album?
Lars Chriss: The response has been overwhelming both from the old and new fans so we feel very comfortable to keep developing this direction for the next album that we are currently working on. It’s great to read reviews where people get exactly what we set out to do. Especially America seems to appreciate the blend we have of old school heavy metal and more modern aggressive influences. All our songs are built from great riffs and then we like a catchy vocal melody on top with a crunchy and dry production. We spend a lot of time and money on our albums.
AAM: The music industry has changed so much since Lion's Share started. What is your opinion of the industry today?
Lars Chriss: It’s sad that the record industry woke up too late regarding the illegal downloading. It’s very hard to obtain the high standard productions we’ve become known for when the money we earn from sales hardly covers the high costs we have. Obviously the internet is a great tool to promote your music but the whole music, video game and film industry have taken a hard beating from all this. One can only hope things will change before we pack it in.
AAM: Any plans of a Lion's Share DVD being released?
Lars Chriss: We want to release at least one more album first. As I mentioned we have two live songs on the new Manowar DVD that people can check out for now, but we have a lot of cool and rare stuff in the vault so one of these days…
AAM: For those who haven't heard of Lion's Share. Why should they check you guys out?
Lars Chriss: Because we deliver well written, well played, well produced classic Heavy Metal for any fan of Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Dio, Accept, Queensryche with spices from newer bands like Rammstein, Soilwork, Arch Enemy, In Flames etc. KISS and Megadeth fans should check out the album since we have guest solos from Bruce Kulick and Glen Drover. Check out and e-card with samples here fanbay.se/buy/index.asp?movie_id=1897&company_id=39 or go to the web site www.lionsshare.org
AAM: Parting comments.
Lars Chriss: We’re excited to have our first official release in America now that our kind of music is coming back over there as well. The comments and reviews from USA have been absolutely awesome so we would like to think we have a big audience over there. Since this album was released in Europe last year, we are currently in the studio working on the next album which we hope to release in October everywhere. Hopefully we will see you on tour after the next album is released. Thanks for the support!!
The Rocker and I along with All Access Magazine would like to thank Lars for sharing his time with us. As always such a blast talking with you! See you guys when you come to L.A.
For more info on LION'S SHARE: www.myspace.com/lionsshare
