Release date: April 26, 2019
Label: Lucifer’s Records
Production: Simon Hesslein
Length: 43:16
Genre: hard rock
Score: 8.5
Lucifer’s Friend, the eclectic German hard rockers from the ‘primeval’ era who rose from the dead in 2014, have struck again after »Too Late To Hate« (2016), this time with the album »Black Moon«. With the legendary English singer John Lawton, best known as a former Uriah Heep member, back at the mic, they put everyone on notice with »Too Late To Hate« that they’re far from ready for the scrapheap. At moments »Black Moon« sounds like it came out sometime in the seventies, when Lucifer’s Friend were at their artistic peak, mostly thanks to the retro production, the superbly preserved state of Lawton’s voice and the unmistakable songwriting chops that have always set this band apart. Lucifer’s Friend, much like the aforementioned Uriah Heep, were never your run-of-the-mill hard rock band. They often flirted with progressive rock elements, and »Black Moon« is no different, with its harmony vocals, occasional trumpet, violin and a few relatively complex rhythmic twists.
The album opens with the title track, which is pure classic Lucifer’s Friend: energetic organ arrangements, colorful guitar passages, fiery drum fills and Lawton’s velvety, passionate voice peaking in a melodic chorus, with a short trumpet solo thrown in for good measure. Original guitarist Peter Hesslein is still a master of striking guitar phrases, which, along with Lawton’s still-outstanding singing, remain Lucifer’s Friend’s main weapons. »Passangers« features dark, almost ominous organ arrangements and unusually punchy guitar passages, while Lawton, with his mighty vocal approach, ramps up the dramatic mood to great effect.
»Rolling the Stone«, laid over rustling organ passages, has a more playful atmosphere with passionate harmonies in a catchy chorus. »Behind the Smile« has all the ingredients to be declared a Lucifer’s Friend classic on the spot, while Lawton once again wows with a fantastic vocal performance. The somewhat darker »Palace of Fools« has a clever guitar phrase and an unexpected shift into an epic section, where Lawton once more shows off the enviable flexibility of his remarkably well-preserved vocal cords. »Call the Captain« brings dramatic symphonic arrangements, faster drumming than usual and a fiery guitar solo, which keeps the tension in this one nice and taut.
»Little Man«, a cross between a melancholic ballad and a stretched-out hard rocker, is the long-awaited moment on the album where Lawton ventures into soul territory and effortlessly conjures up a nostalgic mood. »Freedom«, with its energetic electric violin solo, is another strong candidate for a Lucifer’s Friend classic. The romantically tinged »Taking It To the Edge«, with its nostalgic harmony chorus and ethereal symphonic veils, will also go down well with anyone who dig Lawton-era Uriah Heep. The autobiographical closer »Glory Days«, which proves once again that Lucifer’s Friend are in great shape after the reunion, will delight every nostalgic soul who misses the days when practically all music was still made with heart and soul.
»Black Moon« comes remarkably close to what Lucifer’s Friend were putting out in their prime, and it’s a worthy follow-up to the previous record, which already made it clear that this band was going to be a force to reckon with after the reunion. »Black Moon« is a joy to listen to from start to finish and is exactly what most fans want from this cult, long-lived band. The members, three of whom are originals, don’t seem to have aged a day, and they’re among the few of their generation who don’t just coast on past glory but still give their fans new music that’s practically on par with the stuff from the early seventies, that is, their most creative and inspired period.
Review by: Peter Podbrežnik
Tracklist:
1. Black Moon (4:08)
2. Passengers (5:31)
3. Rolling the Stone (3:09)
4. Behind the Smile (3:41)
5. Palace of Fools (4:47)
6. Call the Captain (4:30)
7. Little Man (4:28)
8. Freedom (4:56)
9. Taking It to the Edge (3:48)
10. Glory Days (4:18)
Lucifer’s Friend:
John Lawton – vocals
Peter Hesslein – guitar, keyboards
Dieter Horns – bass guitar
Stephan Eggert – drums
Guest musicians:
Chuck Findley – trumpet solo (1)
Stefan Pintev – electric violin solo (8)
