LUCIFER'S FRIEND

An album that's been lurking in my sub-conscious for a very long time now. I can suddenly find myself humming along to the music and random vocal lines, while not being totally sure what it is I'm singing. And when digging in memory Lucifer's Friend eponymous debut is sure to get another play-through.

It's a noisy, abrasive bunch of tight songs with fuzzy '70s production, comparable to Deep Purple and Uriah Heep of the same period. Massive salvos of sounds such as this one is hard to ignore and works its way into your ears no matter what. It might not be of everybody's liking, that's for sure, but even if that's how you feel, you just can't ignore it. Crushing guitar and rumbling Hammond organ is all over the place and should please every fan of hard rock from the time. My favourite aspect of the album is still the excellent bass player, Dieter Horns. His sound may be drowning behind the flow of the other instruments at times, but it still manages to shine through the thick fog created by the organ.

Speaking of the organ, it's primarily used in creating that power this music is well-known and celebrated for. Constantly bursting out in short and powerful segments, it shouldn't be neglected when the occasional solo or intricacy shows up. And this aside, who can feel honestly disappointed when being the target of a perfectly synchronised attack of Hammond, guitar and bass?

Understandably, this description could just as well be one for many other similar bands. Lucifer's Friend can't be put away in the 'generic' drawer because of this. Next to Purple and Heep, Lucifer's Friend shows its teeth by adding a certain acid/psych touch to the album. Hawkwind often comes to mind, even though they aren't that closely related. But the smoky, trippy and spiritual atmosphere that characterises especially the less heavy parts - calling them mellow is out of question - sends me off in the heavy acid/psych direction. The ethereal screams from John Lawton have exactly the same effect. The man has been gifted with a great voice, as fans of Uriah Heep probably are well aware off.

In between these excellent parts, I do sometimes wrinkle my forehead thinking 'Is this a new song, or am I still listening to the previous one?' They are admittedly quite alike one another, and the constant blaze of organ and guitar does nothing to change or prevent this. Alas, a slight problem with lack of definition is born. No reason to bother, if you're really into this stuff, what does it matter if every song is just as good as the others?

3,5 stars.

//LinusW