LUCIFER'S FRIEND

From the disturbing album cover to the band's name, you might think that this German band is following BLACK SABBATH's lead back in 1970. Well not quite.The music isn't as dark or quite as heavy, and the organ really plays a prominant role in LUCIFER'S FRIEND's sound. British vocalist John Lawton is fantastic here, and I agree with Vibrationbaby who compares his vocals to Ronnie James Dio. Of course Lawton would go on to sing for URIAH HEEP. I really dig this style of music, and it's really well played with some great songs.

The first track "Ride The Sky" was the first single they released in the U.S.A., and it granted them some success there. It's the only song where the organ takes a back seat, and it's the most SABBATH- like. It opens with Lawton yelling out before a SABBATH-like heavy rhythm comes throbbing in. "Everybody's Clown" features more heaviness and the organ and bass are prominant.The vocals are outstanding ! Nice guitar solo after a minute. It settles a minute later before Lawton yells and the song kicks back in.The organ is great. "Keep Goin'" is my favourite track on here. Love the guitar intro.This is dark and sinister sounding. Vocals before a minute are reserved for the first time as it calms down. Check out his vocals as he starts to get more passionate. It kicks back in. Fantastic organ followed by a guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes in. Nice bass lines too.Themes are repeated.

"Toxic Shadows" opens with organ as a full sound comes in quickly. Raw guitar with vocals before a minute. Nice. It settles before 3 minutes with some steller bass, then this wondrous guitar solo comes in and goes on and on until after 5 1/2 minutes when the vocals return. A top three track for sure. "Free Baby" opens with this cool sounding pulsating organ as bass and drums join in with guitar then vocals. Great sound here. A nice heavy soundscape throughout with the ever-present pulsating organ. Some excellent guitar after 2 1/2 minutes. "Baby Your A Liar" opens with some power before the song settles into a more catchy mode. A calm after 1 1/2 minutes is blown away quickly by guitar and organ. Killer endng ! "In The Time Of Job When Mammon Was A Yippie". What ? This is an uptempo rocker with some vocal melodies before 2 minutes. An instrumental interlude follows with lots of organ. I like this song.

"Lucifer's Friend" reminds me of DEEP PURPLE.Some atmosphere to open with some spooky sounds.The music then kicks in and vocals arrive after a minute. Killer guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes in. Organ solo 4 1/2 minutes in. One of the bonus tracks called "Horla" is a rip snorting instrumental.The guitar lights it up big time to open. Drums take over 1 1/2 minutes in, bass joins in.Guitar is back then more killer drumming. Incredible instrumental display.The only other bonus track on my cd is a radio edit of "Lucifer's friend".

Recommended to BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE fans.