Album review: LUCIFER – Lucifer III
Century Media [Release date 20.03.20]
It says a lot, when you can’t immediately recall that you reviewed a band’s last release only 2 years ago! In the case of Lucifer = a Stockholm based outfit owing much to the likes of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, and majoring on the vocals of front woman Johanna Andersson (nee Sadonis).
Formed by Sadonis in Berlin in 2014, Lucifer II was classic, heavy, and uncompromising rock ‘n’ roll, and a less overtly doomy than the band’s debut. III finds the band still in progression with yet more line-up changes and Sadonis now married to her II writing partner and drummer Nicke Andersson.
The core line up is expanded from three to five (although only four feature on the album cover?), with a new guitarist – Linus Björklund, and a new bass player – Harald Göthblad (bass), joining the one other remaining player – Martin Nordin (guitar).
With gloomy artwork, an image lifted straight from 1970, and song titles such as ‘Ghosts’, ‘Leather Demon’, ‘Coffin Fever’, ‘Flanked By Snakes’ and ‘Cemetery Eyes’ it’s fairly clear Lucifer III isn’t going to be a ‘soft rock’ offering.
But it is highly melodic (and accessible), and a very enjoyable listen with the melody carried by some excellent vocals from [Johanna] Andersson, and some neat guitar work with shades of the likes of Lizzy and Wishbone Ash peppered throughout.
My main gripe = aside a lack of originality (especially if you lived through the late 60′s / early 70′s) = is that the songwriting still falls just a little short in terms of hooks that will make this an album you’ll want to revisit in years to come.
But Lucifer are getting better with every release, and as I said in relation to II, if you’re in the market for ‘period’ female-fronted rock, they’re a band well worth investigating. ***1/2
Review by Pete Whalley
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