I’ve been an ardent follower of Lucifer (the band, not the fallen angel) from the moment they released their first album. That album, appropriately titled Lucifer I, was a top notch collection of Sabbath inspired doom metal. Subsequent releases II and III would deviate from this formula, instead settling on a brand of early 70s metal that touched on the unnerving eeriness of Blue Öyster Cult and raging madness of Deep Purple. As the calendar year draws to a close, so opens another chapter in the ongoing Lucifer saga: IV.
The same lineup who played on III returns for this outing and they’ve really gelled together since. Stylistically, IV combines the doom and gloom of Lucifer’s first album with the retro hooks and heaviness of their second and third. It’s so split down the middle it’s hard to label this album doom metal or heavy metal/hard rock. Add to that elements of psychedelia, pop, and singer/songwriter, and you’ve got a listen that’s even more confusing to the brain, but intriguing to the ear.
What remains prevalent throughout IV is Lucifer’s dedication to creating a haunting atmosphere. Every song boasts the type of gloominess you’d expect from walking alone in a cemetery or watching an obscure 70s horror film. This is made clear from the opening track, “Archangel of Death”. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this was a lost Pentagram demo. Nope, it’s just psychedelic metal conjured from the depths of hell. The Mercyful Fate inspired “Crucifix (I Burn for You)” and impactful “Wild Hearses” draws attention early on, as does “Bring Me His Head”, which despite its sinister tendencies is polished just enough to have snuck its way onto AM radio circa 1973.
As IV continues, we’re treated to stylings ranging from the gothic (“Mausoleum”) to the hard rocking (“Louise”) and everywhere in between. One of my personal favorites, “Orion”, sees frontwoman Johanna Sadonis channeling her inner Carly Simon with a blatant 70s singer/songwriter ballad…only imagine Simon as an evil priestess being backed by a band of demons. This is contrasted by “Phobos”, a monolithic molten riff fest intended to shake the heavens, earth, and probably hell too. Somewhere in the great beyond, Leslie West is sporting a grin from ear to ear upon hearing this one.
In the scope of Lucifer’s catalog thus far, I’d rank IV above III. Time will tell if I rank it over I (II will always be my favorite). My advice to Sadonis and musical/life partner Nicke Andersson (best known as the drummer of Entombed)? Whatever it is you’re doing, keep doing it, because “it” works! I’m hard pressed to think of any other 70s metal/hard rock revivalists out there today putting out music of the same caliber. Feel free to prove me wrong in the comments, but I’m sure you’re on the same boat as me: A boat gliding across the river Styx into the cold, unforgiving embrace of Lucifer.
8 out of 10
Label: Century Media Records
Genre: Heavy Metal/Hard Rock
For fans of: Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Blue Öyster Cult