The New York based rock band Lion In The Mane released their first full length album, The Noise War, last week. The anthem song writing boys are showing up with their guns loaded, and taking names. The Noise War is being released independently, but that does not mean it’s lacking by any means.

Frontman Jon Masters takes a real no-mercy and get-it-all-out approach to his lyricism and song writing. The Noise War has an array of moods, tempos, and melodies. From the driving “Waiting” to the melancholy “Bright Sunny Beautiful” to the darker “Pianos vs Mandolins”, there is a song for just about everyone on this album. Be prepared to have a few new songs stuck in your head after checking this album out.

The album brings a very unique, yet familiar sound. The 5 piece brings out everything from catchy guitar riffs (Dmitry Libman and Andrew Lynch), to shredding, to piano melodies (Masters and Lynch), to groove-driven bass lines (Zach Falkow), all topped with some very impressive drumming by Mr. Johnny Coryn.

I caught up with Jon Masters and this is what he had to say about the album;

“The Noise War is a really fun album to listen to because it’s got a little bit of everything. We poured a lot of heart into making this records over the last few years. I think bands can sometimes get forced into making albums because of contracts and such. We were really lucky that no one was breathing down our necks to put something out. I’d like to offer new music more frequentely.. however,I feel its important to really believe in what you’re putting out there and I’m really glad we took the time to put together songs that we all enjoy enough to share with the world…. You definitely have a lot of years in terms of storytelling and personal growth. I hope you all have a chance to pick up The Noise War and enjoy [it]. “

This definitely packs more of a punch and shows the growth of the Big Apple boys from their first EP, The Way We’re Wired. The production quality is spot on as well as the pure musicianship in the way the songs are arranged and composed.

I’m giving Lion In The Mane a solid 9/10 for The Noise War, and only docking a point because “I’ve been waiting..” so long for it to come out.