ALBUM REVIEW: Lucifer’s Hammer – The Trip

Chilean traditional Heavy Metal mob LUCIFER’S HAMMER are back with their 3rd album. Out via High Roller Records on June 18th.

Pounding drums and galloping guitars deliver us right into a storm of pure steel with a majestic traditional blend of warm bass, tight riffs, punchy drums and a glorious vocals that soar across the instruments. As the full band speed into armageddon with powerful verses that transcend the modern world with the finesse and anthemic nature of 80s Heavy Metal, this is clearly going to be an epic listen that lies in wait. The lead work is just as marvellous as the riffs, offering some melodic panache while keeping in the ferocious vein of pure Heavy Metal. The prominence of the cleaner bass in the mix gives the record a really thick and hard-hitting rhythmic side with the powerhouse drumming while the guitars and vocals play off against each other in Iron Maiden fashion to conjure beautiful and memorable melodies that stay with you. While the tempos vary as we see more Speed Metal come into the fold, the galloped NWOBHM style is most prominent meaning the songs are catchy and totally headbanger friendly with their traditional approach.

Marching forth, the maniacal old school energy continues to be delivered with untamed brilliance, the torch blazing into inferno on each of the songs. As things progress, the tracks really come together wonderfully to create a bigger picture of battle-hardened Metal mania that is contagiously enjoyable yet absolute in its conviction and seriousness. More balladic songs like “Land Of Fire” have a bit more of a melancholy side while definitely not going soft, giving a strong dynamic to the record and further accentuating that old school feeling before driving us back into the more straightforward anthems. With some synth work interspersing the guitars, bass, vocals and drums, there is an experimental touch to the music that gives it some rather resplendent ambience while not detracting from the intensity of the stoic battery. Unfaltering until the end, these titans are not weary from the battle, taking us on a 32 minute conquest that demands repeated listens to discover all of the charms on offer. Traditional Heavy Metal lovers, do not miss this grandiose slab of iron.

This is a mighty slice of pure Heavy Metal that offers 7 ripping tracks of excellence, the old school way. Taking the NWOBHM and a speedier edge, Lucifer’s Hammer show how marvellously the South American continent keeps the emboldened spirit of Metal alive and true to the glory days.