ALBUM REVIEW: Lucifer’s Hammer – Be And Exist

Chile has some of the best traditional Heavy Metal in recent years and Lucifer’s Hammer are easily one of my favourites. Their fourth album is coming on June 14th via Dying Victims Productions and Black Legion Records.

Ambience begins our journey with that 80s Sci-Fi feeling that fits this style of music like a glove. Melodic guitars and enormous sound drums pound into life with electrifying metallic roar of the south. The stunning vocal arrangements and dazzling riffs are met with some superb bass lines which are raunchy and hold tons of character. Overall the first impressions are very strong having loved their last album it feels like we are jumping back in the rocket to explore the cosmos where we finished on the previous work. With some progressive touches, their old school mix of Heavy Metal soundscapes may stick to traditions but feels unique enough in its own right with such a stunning production to offer their ideas. Additionally the striking and unusual artwork pulls you further into the lore of the album. Relying largely on a blend of killer instrumental melodies and the soaring vocal and lead guitar combination, it’s gladly that I note the rhythm sections put in just as much work with their attention to detail. The anthemic and enchanting nature of the songs is mystical and while the basics hit you directly on the nose, the more subtle touches are what makes this feel special and makes you need to listen on.

Forging their path further into the reaches of the unknown, there is a blade-like directness to the music while retaining that dreamy feeling of bands like Dark Quarterer combined with the catchiness of Witch Cross. There’s something unmistakable and irreplaceable about the South American passion that leads to an execution you only get from the continent, something I have always been a bit addicted to. This is absolutely true of Lucifer’s Hammer and their one-of-a-kind soundscapes of exploratory Heavy Metal wonders. The impeccable soloing flows naturally from some biting riffs while the varied and busy drummer keeps things constantly moving. It’s refreshing to hear the bass take an almost lead role given that this is such a dynamic band and it definitely pays off with their huge sound incorporating so many brilliant elements and letting everything shine in its own right. Those eerie, moody, haunting and yet triumphantly empowered vocals tie it all together for me, sending the instruments into the stratosphere as the band unite in metallic harmony and achieve splendour together.

While many of their countrymen take a more primal and simplistic, often minimalist approach (which totally rules, just look at some favourites like Acero Letal, Hemisferio and many others), Lucifer’s Hammer are bit more in line with Italy’s Vultures Vengeance and their multi-layered epics that build so many unusual and liquid sounds, brimming with molten creativity. I love this approach too, which can definitely yield a very unique and limitless result, thanks to which I feel like the band can keep on cranking out albums without ever treading water. This is a magnificent position to be in which will hopefully see many more high quality records released. But for the present, “Be and Exist” is a marvellous fourth album and one I really enjoyed listening to. I struggle to imagine any Heavy Metal fan not absolutely loving this to be honest. Blast it for yourself, prove me right!

A dreamy and otherworldly record of bewitching Heavy Metal excellence. While I think “The Trip” may still be my favourite from the band, this is a fantastic record and sits in a very strong discography that is impressive from their first steps to the present day. If you want some arcane magic in your music, packed with melody and power, then Lucifer’s Hammer is mandatory listening.