Saturday Singles: Lucifer-"Anubis" Single

Rise Above Records
2015

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Candy Bomber Studio in Berlin, Germany, "Anubis" is the first release from the female-fronted stoner/doom metal band Lucifer. This single was laid to tape back in November of 2014 and it is backed by the number "Morning Star". Despite the fact that it was released back on January 27th (with a limited edition 7" appearing a month or so after the digital version), "Anubis" only recently came to my attention after a friend suggested I check out this German band featuring Johanna Sadonis. Before we got any further though or get too deep into today's Saturday Singles feature I think it would suit us well to play the time honored game, "Good Bands with Bad Names!". If you really need to ask why Lucifer is a terrible choice for a new band then be sure to take a sneak peek over at the Metal Archives. As you can see this name has been used before and there are a couple of active bands still using the moniker. So yeah, Lucifer is a terrible name for this stoner/doom metal band and I really wish someone would have stood up and said as much before the ball got rolling. OK, now that I have that little rant out of my system let's get back to  Johanna Sadonis and the band in question. If her name doesn't immediately ring any bells don't feel too bad. At first it didn't for me. It took me a minute or two to clear the cobwebs out of my head before I placed the name and even then that was only after a clue or two......or three! Lucifer's front-lady was formerly with the The Oath and that short-lived band proved to be a one and done deal. Hopefully that doesn't prove to be the case with Lucifer. Especially seeing as Johanna has surrounded herself with admirable company including Andrew Prestidge and Gary Jennings! Andrew Prestidge was the former (live) drummer for The Oath and his resume includes two N.W.O.B.H.M. bands in Angel Witch and Tytan! Meanwhile guitarist Gary Jennings (here known as The Wizards) also plays with the band Death Penalty and his terrific style of playing has been on display in Cathedral, Septic Tank, and Acid Reign! On bass we find front-lady Johanna Sadonis (also formerly of  Cryogenic, Dies Ater, Ferox, Informer, and Sweden's Vinterkrig) recruiting a possible newcomer in Dino Gollnick and I say "possible newcomer" due to the fact that even if the Metal Archives doesn't have him listed in any other bands his skills on the four-string are undeniable! Collectively Lucifer sounds nearly unstoppable so it will be interesting to hear what this band has in store as far as new music is concerned. Fans won't have to wait long for that though as the group's next single, "Izrael", is due for release this week and the band's full-length debut, "Lucifer I", is scheduled for May 25th in the UK and Europe and June 16th here in the U.S.! For more information on Lucifer be sure to check out the band's Facebook page and you can pick up a vinyl copy of this great single by heading here.

The Oath-The Oath

Rise Above Records
2014

Further proving that there is no shortage of top tier female fronted heavy metal bands out there these days (not that there was any doubt whatsoever in my mind!) let me introduce you to Berlin, Germany's The Oath. Although relatively new to the scene (having "just" formed back in 2012) the group has already released a well-received single (2013's "Night Child/Black Rainbow"-both of which appear on "The Oath") and now have delivered this impressive full-length debut. Already released in Europe, with an April 15th due date schedule for those of us on the other side of the pond, "The Oath" finds core members Johanna Sadonis (vocals, formerly a member of Dies Ater, Cryogenic, Ferox, Informer and Vinterkrig) and Linnéa Olsson (guitars, formerly of Slingblade and currently with Sonic Ritual) exploring all the various sub genres of "heavy metal" (doom, traditional heavy metal, 70's hard rock/heavy metal and N.W.O.B.H.M.) while drawing from their vast array of influences (listed sources include Danzig, Black Sabbath, The Runaways, Dio, Celtic Frost and Motörhead) in order to craft a strong and downright enjoyable platter of "loud & proud" goodness! Linnéa Olsson, reportedly a "punk guitarist at heart" whose influences range from "Slash to Fast Eddie Clarke to Steve Jones to Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin" (I'd throw in Tony Iommi as well) often times provides the album with early N.W.O.B.H.M. riffs (think Angle Witch, Iron Maiden, Satan and Hammer) while elements of Black Sabbath, Pentagram and Trouble creep into the picture at just the right moment to give "The Oath" a delightfully dark vibe! Meanwhile Johanna Sadonis voice has a haunting quality to it which, at various moments when the mood is just right, reminds this reviewer of the band Coven!  With bassist Simon Bouteloup (Kadavar, ex- Aqua Nebula Oscillator) and drummer Andrew Prestidge (Angel Witch, Winters) serving as the formidable rhythm section The Oath, which channels all manor of darkness and despair with their occult-themed music, also banked on the services of  In Solitude's Henke Palm (also of Sonic Ritual with guitarist Linnéa Olsson). Henke provides a guest solo on "The Oath" and his time spent playing with In Solitude seems to have rubbed of on the members of The Oath as that is also one source of comparison. With a warm production thanks to one Martin "Konie" Ehrencron (Sister) and an epic number such as the seven minute plus "Psalm 7" closing this one out in grand fashion "The Oath" is a must-have for fans of female fronted heavy metal as well as those that simply adore dark and brooding doom metal and/or late 70's/early 80's-infused traditional heavy metal!

Black Burn-The Invocation

High Roller Records
2012

In the early part of the eighties heavy metal was alive and well over almost all of Europe except seemingly for the post-Cold War Berlin. In what little scene there was one name that stood above the rest was bassist Jörg Franke. He spent time playing with Tantalos, Skylla, Ballantinez and Calderone. Ballantinez recorded a EP entitled “Charged” for Noise Records in 1985 and Calderone released a s/t EP for Parallel Lines Records in 1988. In Between these groups he found time for numeros side-projects which is where Black Burn comes in. While most of Franke's work is either heavy metal or speed metal in sound this group was influenced by the likes Mercyful Fate, Venom and Black Sabbath. Interestingly enough Black Burn could be looked at as early black metal in nature. Backed by various session musicians the only "real" members of Black Burn were Marcel Klinger (who offers vocal growls for those of you into groups like Venom and Hellhammer) and Jörg Franke. On four of the songs (“Skylla”, “Dr. Vollin”, “Priest of Dread” and “The World is an immeasurable War”) Carsten Köhler played guitar and Timo Niedenzu played drums. Dark Avenger's Andreas Breindl plays drums on “Necrophile” a track which may or may not have influenced the Slayer track of the same name. Even if Black Burn was originally only intended to be a studio project it is hard to figure out why they received so little interest from record labels other than the fact that maybe it was just that the band was a little ahead of the times. Who knows what the outcome would have been if someone would have had the foresight to sign this group? In the end though we have this interesting High Roller Records collection of six tracks. Gathered together in these six tracks is some unearthly metal. My first run through of this album made me think that Metal Mark should have reviewed this one as this is something he would quite enjoy. I have no doubt that the doom elements (again Black Sabbath and possible Trouble) would have really interested him. With the early black metal vibe this release comes off as dark and dreary. It is cold and atmospheric. For those interested in the sounds of early black metal/doom these six tracks should be a real treat.