Vixen - Vixen (1988) and Rev it Up (1990)

 I think Vixen is one of the most underrated bands. Not just because they were one all-female heavy metal band who enjoyed a mainstream success. That in itself was a special thing, by the way. But also because the great music they played, which was better than many other bands from the era.

Well, I admit. Their status as an ‘all-female metal band’ was the reason why I was interested on them in the first hand. As we all remember, heavy metal was a predominantly male world (it still is). The likes of Lita Ford or Joan Jett were exceptions. So, when Hai magazine reviewed Vixen’s first and self-titled album, I was curious to hear what kind of sound would they play.

And I liked what I heard. The album began with a track written by Richard Marx (once one of my non-metal favorite singers), Edge of a Broken Heart. Jan Kuhnemund’s riff met Share Pederson’s dynamic bass and Roxy Petrucci’s powerful drum, gave the perfect sound for Janet Gardner’s great vocal. Later I heard Richard Marx’ own version of the song. I should say Vixen’s version was much better than his.

The album enjoyed a commercial success, although it didn’t became quite a landmark album. Perhaps, despite the songs were good, the album lacked radio-friendly tracks except ‘Edge’ and the power ballad ‘Cryin’. But it was enough to bring Vixen into the mainstream music industry. They toured with big metal stars like Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne and Scorpion.

In 2009, VH1 put 'Edge' in the number 87 of the 'Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '80s'. While I was agree it was a wonder, VH1 just showed their ignorance to consider it as a 'one-hit' because two years later, they released their second album, Rev it Up. They played pretty much the same musical formula as the first album, with extra work in the mixing and arrangements. Personally, the album meant something for me as it was released just around the time I started high school. I joined my school’s student magazine. One of my first works was a review of this album. The second album stamped their existence in the mainstream rock industry when they toured with metal giants KISS and Deep Purple. So much for a one-hit band, uh?

 I really liked how Janet Gardner used the advantage of being a female singer: her vocal range and sex appeal without being or looking ‘cheap’. Yes, being a female frontlady provides a visual distinction. But in the end, what Vixen offered was their music, not their physical appearance.

Unfortunately, the group broke up not long after that due to musical differences. They haven’t been around for long enough to cement their place in most people’s collective memories, sadly. So their attempts to revive Vixen in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, with some personnel changes, were not met with great receptions.

 But Vixen was part of my metal history, as one of the bands listened to as a teenager, and whose music I still enjoy until now. And I believe Vixen deserve much more acknowledgement in the rock history.