ALBUM REVIEW: Luzifer – Iron Shackles

German traditional Heavy Metal mob LUZIFER finally unveil their debut album via High Roller Records on March 25th!

Starting things with an epic introduction of percussive pounding, thumping bass lines and soaring vocals, there is no denying that classic Heavy Metal electricity is alive and well from the onset. Slowly building to gallops, the blend of well-mixed instruments and powerful vocals have an eerie and yet truly triumphant feeling that just hits all of the right spots to deliver some killer traditional music with a pretty unique sound in regard to the style. It isn’t easy to sound legitimately old and also add something new (not that one has to in order to make a great record), but Luzifer have these strange little progressive flares that with their NWOBHM meets early Power Metal fusion makes something interesting happen, a sort of 70s-80s slab of otherworldly and yet corporeal metallic glory.

Vocally, the powerful and dynamic attack is really contagious while the instrumentals know when to ramp up the technicality and give us some wow factor, and when to stay in the dead-simple, tried, tested and favoured lane of hard-hitting power chords. Similarly the drummer knows when to keep a steady beat, or inject some business into his fills and remind us that drummers can have lead parts. Sometimes simplicity is best, sometimes it isn’t and Luzifer know these key timings and when to emphasise on the subtleties. The use of organs is one example of the “progressive” elements I alluded to earlier, though they’d be just as comfortable on an 80s Ozzy album, while the warm bass-driven gallops would be more comfortable with an Iron Maiden fan, then you inject these epic choruses that could be from Omen, Heavy Load or Liege Lord and you get a bit closer. But Luzifer are weirder and more estranged, so comparing possible influences doesn’t really do them justice, in fact describing their sound isn’t that easy at all. But it does rule, I know that!

Tracks like “Hexer” perfectly exemplify the truly heroic and yet dark music of Luzifer in all of its diverse grandiosity. There is nothing arduous about listening to this record, its a truly exciting and enjoyable adventure that doesn’t rely on cheap thrills nor gimmicks but does give us one hell of a quest to join them on. From the immense drums to the vibrant bass playing and superb riff-craft to the splendid vocal delivery, not only are the band on amazing form but the artwork and production fits the music perfectly. This is something one would see in a record store and be drawn to then completely consumed by, something I cannot emphasise the value of enough. Seven tracks, no two feel too alike yet they flow beautifully. There is not really anything left for me to critique, bar the fact its 2022 release date is thoroughly dumbfounding as the attention to detail is second to none. This was a wonderful experience indeed, and one I shall certainly repeat many times as this record has infinite replay value with its many twists and turns of unexpected mystery.

Mystical, eerie and with a feeling of magic throughout, this is turbulent Heavy Metal with so much to offer in just offer half an hour. Taking all things glorious from the long tome that is Heavy Metal’s history and making something absolutely their own at the end is an impressive feat. Luzifer’s first chapter (well aside from two 7″ records and a compilation of those, which are well worth checking out) is a magnificent one!