'Appointment with Death' marks the second comeback album for 'Lizzy Borden' after thankfully returning to his Heavy Metal roots following his decision to ditch Hard Rock project 'Starwood'. Like previous releases this also has a general theme running throughout, this time simply based around “Death”, and as such the production is slightly darker and thicker than you might initially expect, especially compared to 'Deal with the Devil'. Fortunately this doesn't distract from the quality as 'Lizzy' and Co. notch up another respectable platter of their characteristic Metal. The main line-up change sees guitarist 'Ira Black' joining the fold, while there are no shortages of guest appearances from the likes of 'George Lynch', Dave Meniketti and Michael T. Ross.

The album gets off to a good start with 'Abnormal' a quality grooving number that's graced with tasty guitar hooks and solos, while vocally 'Lizzy' has lost nothing and delivers in his usual maniacal manner and although the song doesn't quite have the same impact as 'There will be Blood Tonight', still a fine opener. The title track follows with a similar yet slightly more energetic, almost urgent approach, that's in keeping with the lyrical content, which as usual is top notch throughout the album, fret work here is courtesy of 'Jonas Hansson' and is also excellent. The tempo falls somewhat for the more plodding 'Live Forever' which see 'Ira Black' making his 'Lizzy Borden' debut and he doesn't disappoint, although as a whole the song feels a little confusing, blending their traditional sound with more modern influences, but all told far from poor. Better still is the more straightforward Metal sound of 'Bloody Tears', which opens with a cracking intro and fails to let up, 'Ira Black' again shines while 'Lizzy's' absolutely nails the lyrics- top drawer. The pace falls for the ballad come rocker 'The Death of Love', which is graced by 'George Lynch' on lead guitars, perhaps not the ideal song to see 'George' shine, but he still does a very nice job on an interesting yet morose number. The pace is picked up with 'Tomorrow Never Comes', that opens brightly with a classic 'Iron Maiden' style intro, before developing into a typical 'Lizzy' riff driven rocker. Ensuing with a more modern twist is 'Under Your Skin', which recalls work from 'Dragontown' era 'Alice Cooper', while 'Perfect World (I Don't Wanna Live)' is more melodic and perhaps the track most similar to work from 'Deal with the Devil'. The more simplistic 'Somthin's Crawlin' follows and in my opinion is easily the weakest cut present, lyrically repetitive, especially the chorus and even overlooking the solid instrumental break, falls short of the mark. Quickly back on track is the grooving, riff driven '(We are) The Only Ones' which is driven throughout by some splendid rhythm work courtesy from 'Joey Scott' and 'Marten Andersson', while 'Ira Black' continues to impress. Appointment with Death' closes with the balladsy 'Darker Side', a song that in my opinion doesn't quite come off, even 'Lizzy's' vocals seeming too screechy at times, thankfully 'Y&T's' 'Dave Meniketti's' guitar solo is a highlight, but overall still doesn't quite cut it for me.

Perhaps at times the theme is a little too dark for my liking, but that said a nice piece of work that in my opinions is far superior to the 'Starwood' debut 'If It Ain't Broke, Break It'.