Enter _Appointment With Death_ 2007. How likely is it that after a catalog dating back twenty-five years that someone would call a brand new offering "relevant" let alone "important"? This album defiantly redefines Lizzy Borden to the extent that not only is this band refusing to acquiesce to laissez-faire modern metal trends, but instead make palpable argument with _AWD_ why Lizzy Borden is breaking new ground. Could the reason be experience? Maybe. More likely, however, is the legacy of Lizzy Borden, as a band, driving the group to overcome the notion of modern metal as we've come to know it and phoenix into a significantly important release.

Okay, now the specifics. _AWD_ is notably and appreciably more sinister. Some would say dark, but not so much absent Lizzy Borden trademark theatrics, but mysteriously edgy -- both obviously in band appearance and musically speaking.

As logic would dictate, Lizzy Borden is back on vocals, Marten Andersson handling the bass duties, the powerful drum talents compliments of Joey Scott, and then there's Ira Black. Ira Black. Not only squaring off toe-to-toe with the likes of Dave Meniketti (Y&T), Corey Beaulieu (Trivium), but more than that George Lynch of Dokken notoriety and the infamous Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal / Alas / Ripping Corpse / Morbid Angel), but Ira masterfully manages to play to impress. It is one thing to play on a release, another to more than hold your own with talented musicians such as these, but Meniketti, Beaulieu, Lynch and the mighty Rutan stepping up to contribute their skills is credit onto itself for Lizzy Borden, this album and the genre.

These are eleven tracks of some of the most convincing metal from, I will disclose, an underestimated spring of affluence; Lizzy Borden has more than proven -- in these ruthless and tumultuous times -- this band is essential metal. This newest embodiment of the Lizzy Borden mystique will never "Roll Over and Play Dead"! By the way, if there are any of you out there that may be of the opinion that this review boarders on over-complementary or extremely lavish with praise, keep this juicy morsel at the center stage in your prefrontal cortex: I purchased this album to review it; thusly deemed a necessary addition to my CD warehouse, period!