LEE AARON - Metal Queen 12" Vinyl LP Album

- 1984 RoadrunneR Records

The year is 1984. Ronald Reagan is in the White House, leg warmers are de rigueur, and hair metal bands are ruling the Sunset Strip. In this testosterone-fueled landscape, a Canadian singer named Lee Aaron unleashes her debut album, 'Metal Queen,' on an unsuspecting world.

With its defiant title track and Aaron's leather-clad image, the album wasn't just a collection of songs - it was a battle cry. It announced the arrival of a woman who refused to be relegated to the sidelines in a genre dominated by men. Aaron wasn't content to be a mere groupie or a passive object of desire; she was staking her claim as a queen in her own right.

Musically, 'Metal Queen' is a glorious mix of hard rock and heavy metal, with soaring vocals, blistering guitar solos, and thunderous drums. It's the kind of music that makes you want to crank the volume to eleven and headbang until your neck aches. But beneath the sonic assault, there's a subtle complexity that sets it apart from its peers. Aaron's lyrics are often introspective and thought-provoking, exploring themes of love, loss, and the struggle for identity.

Some of the most popular tracks that resonate with fans include the anthemic title track, "Metal Queen," the powerful ballad "Barely Holdin' On," and the energetic rocker "Lady of the Darkest Night." These songs, along with others on the album, showcase Aaron's vocal range and emotional depth.

Of course, Aaron's overt sexuality was not without controversy. In an era when women in rock were often objectified and marginalized, her confident, unapologetic embrace of her femininity was seen by some as a threat. But for many young women, she was a beacon of empowerment, proving that it was possible to be both strong and sexy, to rock out without compromising your femininity.

The album's production is top-notch, thanks to the talented team of Bob Ezrin (known for his work with Alice Cooper and Kiss) and Paul Gross. Recorded at the legendary Phase One Studios in Toronto, 'Metal Queen' captures the raw energy of Aaron's live performances while maintaining a polished, radio-friendly sound.

Historically, 'Metal Queen' occupies an interesting niche. It predates the explosion of female-fronted metal bands in the late 80s and early 90s, making Aaron a trailblazer in a genre that was still largely male-dominated. While it didn't achieve massive commercial success at the time, it has since become a cult classic, revered by fans of heavy metal and female empowerment alike.