License to Kill

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, gathering 'round the cosmic campfire at THE ZOO, where the tunes flow like a gentle river through the meadows of your mind. We're dropping the needle on "License to Kill" by those heavy rock wanderers Malice, from their thunderous album of the same name. Oh man, this track packs a punch with its sinister riffs and that raw energy that makes your spirit soar like an eagle on the wind. Digging deep into the archives of interviews, scattered quotes, and those free-flowing social media vibes where fans share their tales, we've unearthed some groovy trivia and stories about this song that'll have you nodding along in pure bliss.

Picture this, fellow travelers: back in the day, Malice's vocalist James Neal spilled the beans in an interview about the wild ride of recording "License to Kill." He talked about hunkering down in a slick LA studio for months, burning the midnight oil with all sorts of cool gear, getting those vocals locked in tight. It was a perfectionist's dream, man, under the watchful eye of producer Max Norman, who Neal praised for his meticulous ways. And get this – some heavy hitters like Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson from Megadeth, plus Tommy Thayer and Jamie St. James from Black 'n Blue, lent their voices to the title track and "Chain Gang Woman." Neal didn't even know until later, but he met them and called them nice cats. Fans on social media still buzz about how this album felt like a step up, with tighter studio chops compared to their debut, and folks sharing stories of blasting "License to Kill" at parties, feeling that adrenaline rush like a storm brewing on the horizon.

One far-out story from Neal's chats takes us to the European tour with Slayer, where things got trippy. In Amsterdam, the band chowed down on some "Space Balls" chocolate that had them floating through a show like they were on the moon – talk about a cosmic detour! Then there was that heart-pounding moment in West Berlin, accidentally veering toward the East Berlin exit at the Wall. Guards with machine guns waved them through after a tense standoff, laughing it off, but Neal was chanting under his breath the whole time, kissing the ground in relief once safe. The gig that night was electric, with fans going wild. Social posts from die-hards recall how "License to Kill" captured that Judas Priest vibe, with its catchy chorus and killer riff, becoming a staple in their live sets. One fan quoted Neal saying the album was a chance to grow as musicians, wishing they'd done more records to keep the groove going.

Sliding into more legends, trivia floats around how the album dropped in '87, right in the thick of the metal scene, touring with giants like Alice Cooper, W.A.S.P., and Motorhead. Neal reminisced about the grind: travel, eat, sleep, play, repeat. No wild specifics, but the energy was pure fire. On forums and media shares, enthusiasts point out the backing vocals added that extra layer, making tracks like "License to Kill" stand out. There's talk of how the European leg turned sour with Slayer's crowd giving them grief, forcing an early exit from the German dates – a bummer, but it built their resilience. Fans love quoting lines from the song, like "Born to lose, live to win," feeling that rebellious spirit. Even in reissues, like the 2018 Rock Candy remaster, liner notes dive into the underrated gem status, with folks calling it a timeless classic full of melody and power.

Now, let's drift back to the roots and chat about how Malice sparked into being, pulling from bio vibes that paint a picture of true rock kinship. It all kicked off in Portland, Oregon, around 1980 when guitarist Jay Reynolds, fresh from The Ravers, rounded up an early crew: vocalist James Neal, bassist Matt McCourt and drummer Deen Castronovo from future Wild Dogs, and guitarist Kip Doran. But the real magic brewed when Reynolds headed to LA, linking with guitarist Mick Zane. Struggling for the right souls, they pulled Neal, bassist Mark Behn, and drummer Pete Laufman down from Portland after their demo stirred up buzz with Metal Blade's Brian Slagel.

The band's first LA gig at the Troubadour in '82 had Metallica opening – can you imagine that flip? Neal remembered chomping at the bit to perform, loving the stage rush. Swapping drummers for Cliff Carothers, they cut demos with Michael Wagener, sparking a label frenzy. Landing with Atlantic in '84, their debut "In the Beginning..." hit in '85, blending Wagener's tracks with Ashley Howe's production. Influenced by Euro metal like Judas Priest, they cranked out heavy/power vibes with speed twists. By '86, "License to Kill" arrived, produced by Max Norman, touring hard but facing road bumps.

After the '89 EP "Crazy in the Night," they paused, but reformed in 2006 with originals Reynolds, Zane, and Behn, adding Pete Holmes on drums and Robert Cardenas on bass briefly, then James Rivera on vocals for 2012's "New Breed of Godz" – reworking old tunes. Sadly, Zane passed in 2016 from brain cancer. Neal, a Nichiren Buddhist, started singing young, inspired by church choirs and R&B greats like Wilson Pickett, honing his voice naturally. The journey was wild, from Portland parties to LA dreams, always chasing that pure metal flow.

For more on these metal pioneers, groove over to their official Facebook. No official Instagram or X accounts floating out there, but fans unite in the Malice Fan Group and on the Encyclopaedia Metallum fan site. And keep the circle spinning by checking out THE ZOO for more righteous rhythms, you beautiful freaks.

Wrapping this sonic saga, Malice's path from Portland roots to LA lights shows the enduring power of rock brotherhood. "License to Kill" and its album embody that fierce, melodic drive that still echoes through the ethers, connecting souls across time. Whether you're an old-timer reliving the glory or a fresh seeker tuning in, these stories remind us music's about the shared vibe, keeping us all in harmony, man.