Album Review: Lucifer – Lucifer V (Nuclear Blast)

Sinister Swedish heavy rockers Lucifer return with their fifth album ‘Lucifer V’, out on January 26th, 2024, via Nuclear Blast.

The living embodiment of sinister and evil sounding rock music, Lucifer have wowed consistently with album after album, and that record continues to remain unbroken with Lucifer V. A continuation of their dramatic wickedness, with the remarkable vocals of Johanna Sadonis being the harbinger of dark days. Once again, complimented by a band that delivers a medley of hard rock groove monsters, striking heavy metal head-bangers, and doomy-goth infused soundscapes.

Just like everything that has come before, Lucifer V delves into the darkness and pulls out the wriggling soul of evil. Yet, there is an experimental touch to the record, and an undeniable drive to not stick to the well-trodden formula. Beginning things in anthemic and catchy style with Fallen Angel. A track with a ton of energy and plenty of riffs.

The sinister side of Lucifer that we all know and love, is front and centre with At the Mortuary. This track giving off darker and doomier vibes, but with a chorus that will have even demons singing along loudly. Followed then by the delightfully old-school epic that is Riding Reaper and the eerie leisureliness of Slow Dance in A Crypt. Lucifer crafting a track that will have the dead moving long after they are nothing but bones.

There’s a more vigorous offering next with the groovy horror-tinged sound of A Coffin Has No Silver Lining. A track that seems to draw from the poppier world of the likes of Ghost. Before the excellent Maculate Heart provides one of the album’s strongest body shakers and The Dead Don’t Speak showcases some of the album’s finest riffs, while also being innately infectious.

They really are a band who know exactly how to craft music that makes you feel so wicked but is strangely accessible too. No further proof needed then Strange Sisters, a track that few will be able to deny the allure of the chorus. However, it’s the twisted tone shift that really does it here.

Finally, and disappointingly because the album is so much fun, it’s the sexist sounding track of all with Nothing Left to Lose but My Life. The slow pace, the ringing melody, the pernicious riffs, and the sultry vocals, are deliciously sinful sounding. Lucifer, once again, hitting an incredible high and leaving listeners feeling spent, but very satisfied.

Lucifer – Lucifer V Track Listing:

1. Fallen Angel
2. At the Mortuary
3. Riding Reaper
4. Slow Dance in A Crypt
5. A Coffin Has No Silver Lining
6. Maculate Heart
7. The Dead Don’t Speak
8. Strange Sister
9. Nothing Left to Lose but My Life

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