LUCIFER'S FRIEND

This debut album by Germany rock band really rocks! If you wanna hear something that's truly classic rock, this one is definitely in. The combination of high octave voice of John Lawton and dynamic, solid and inventive bass lines of Dieter Horns, stunning electric guitar of Peter Hesslein is really hard to compare with other bands. Their music is a blend of classic rock with blues music influence, energetic beat and uplifting mood. Be prepared with the hard driving rhythm section even though it's not as heavy (or as fast) as power metal music that was invented later.

From the album opener Ride In The Sky with upbeat and fast tempo music and elephant sound like guitar / organ work reminds me to later work of King Crimson in Elephant Talk tune (Discipline), the music flows smoothly to another blues-based rock music right through until Lucifer's Friend (track 8). The other 5 tracks are actually bonus material. Everybody's Clown (6:12) is an excellent track with tight bass lines and stunning electric guitar. The bass guitar solo in the middle of the track augmented with electric guitar work is probably the most beautiful segment of this song. Keep Goin' (5:26) is a classic rock track with electric guitar sound reminiscent of Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton styles with blues based rhythm section. It's an excellent track. The electric guitar solo backed with solid bass lines at the back during interlude section is really stunning!

Toxic Shadows (7:01) was once a hit in my country when I was childhood and lately this song has been repeatedly aired in our local FM classic rock station radio, in Jakarta. The opening organ sound and its accompanying guitar, bass and drum work is really memorable and have become legend to those who lived in the 70s era. Wow! I remember vividly the first time I heard this tune - oh man . I kept emulating how the walking bass sounds were played through bass guitar. Especially, when the bass guitar takes solo and then followed with stunning guitar solo. It's so fantastic bass work! Great guitar sound! The sound of the seventies, my friend! Whenever I listen to this song I always remember the glory years of seventies where rock music was the only music that ruled the world.

Free Baby (5:28) opens with staccato style of organ work followed with continuous rocking music with blues touch and powerful singing style. Again, bass still contributes nicely in the song composition. Baby You're a Liar (3:55) continues with blues rock style and dynamic drumming. In the Time of Job When Mammon Was a Yippie (4:04) and the concluding track Lucifer's Friend maintain the same spirit and style of Lucifer's Friend's music. The five bonus tracks are good track as well. It's highly recommended album, especially if you want to hear the true sound of seventies. Yeah, you will find that even the sonic quality of this album truly represents the seventies quality. Keep on proggin' .!!!

Progressively yours,

GW