A European institution are Lucifer’s Friend, playing a brand of traditional rock going way back into time. By 1994 they moved in a different direction, for the most part, it’s soaring high quality melodic rock. For a comparison, how about Craaft’s ‘Second Honeymoon’ album meets Praying Mantis?
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Lucifer’s Friend
ALBUM: Sumogrip
LABEL: Castle Communications
SERIAL: ESSCD 227
YEAR: 1994
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
LINEUP: John Lawton – vocals * Peter Hesslein – guitars * Andreas Dicke – bass * Jogi Wichmann – keyboards * Curt Cress – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Get In * 02 Heartbreaker * 03 One Way Ticket To Hell * 04 Don’t Look Back * 05 You Touched Me * 06 Cadillac * 07 Step By Step * 08 Rebound * 09 Sumogrip * 10 Sheree * 11 Back In The Track * 12 Banzai * 13 Any Day Now * 14 Ride The Sky * 15 Free Me * 16 Get Out * 17 You Touched Me With Your Heart
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
A European institution are Lucifer’s Friend, playing a brand of traditional rock going way back into time. Now admittedly, a lot of their earlier stuff is of no interest to melodic rockers. In fact, by the time the band decided to go the melodic rock path, the death knell had already set in. Come 1994 and Lucifer’s Friend had actually been inactive for a few years.
Peter Hesslein then decided to try a new approach, and roped in ex Uriah Heep singer and previous Lucifer’s Friend member John Lawton for the ride. Also added were one time Saga drummer Curt Cress. ‘Sumogrip’ then is a pretty amazing recording all things considered, because it’s a real kick up the backside slab of melodic rock. Very similar in history to Uriah Heep‘s ‘Abominog’ album from 1982, and the change in direction and ensuing fortunes which followed.
The Songs
For the most part, it’s soaring high quality melodic rock. For a comparison, how about Craaft‘s ‘Second Honeymoon’ album meets Praying Mantis? There are some quite stunning pieces onboard that you’re left wondering what the hell these guys had been doing for the past twenty years! ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘Don’t Look Back’ are examples of this. The latter has an absolute killer chorus.
‘You Touched Me With Your Heart’ is a heart rendering ballad with all the right AOR attributes applied. The bonus track on this album is also a rework of the same song. ‘Step By Step’ moves in the same direction as Brazen Abbot, with fast rhythms, and intricate arrangements. ‘Rebound’ sounds like something off the 2000 Kharma album with stabbing piano lines over a heavy backbeat.
The title track has a myriad of keyboards coming through the mix, before the music settles down, and moves into a potential radio hit called ‘Sheree’.The stabbing piano’s return on ‘Back In The Track’, harking back to memories of Toto‘s ‘Hold The Line’. Lucifer’s Friend also do an updated version of Uriah Heep‘s ‘Free Me’, coincidental since Lawton first sang it with them. In fact Lawton’s performance here is worth a mention, as he literally sings his ass off.
In Summary
For seventeen tracks I think this represents great value for money. Don’t be put off by Lucifer’s Friend’s past history. This is pure melodic rock of the highest order. I’m sure if this was resident in your CD collection, it will be guaranteed to get a regular workout.
Lucifer’s Friend on Video
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
