After the "Best Of" Awakening (see review), released in April 2015 and the Live @ Sweden Rock 2015 (see review) released in early 2016, the legendary Lucifer's Friend finally comes up with an album of completely new written material. Too Late To Hate is the first real studio album from the band since the Mean Machine of 1981! The reformation undertaken in 2015 seems to be very a solid one and this can certainly be heard on the new studio album. Although at times different from the classics of the seventies, Too Late To Hate is an album as solid as it is pleasant to listen to. Since the beginning of their career, Lucifer's Friend has always been known for their challenging musical style changes. From the hard rock of Lucifer's Friend (1970) to the more heavy metal style of Mean Machine (1981), the progressive rock on Where The Groupies Killed The Blues (1972), Mind Exploding (1976) and Sneak Me In (1980) to the jazz rock and fusion of Banquet (1974). As for this new album you could say they have returned to their more hard rock kind of musical style mixed with influences taken from progressive rock and AOR. A style which I certainly enjoy a lot. After all I am a lover of Deep Purple and related bands. But also lovers of Uriah Heep, Saga, Survivor and Pride Of Lions will hear from time to time things they might enjoy. Welcome back Lucifer's Friend. You didn't let me down with the release of the first studio album in thirty five years! I guess all of their fans will love Too Late To Hate whole heartedly! *** Henri Strik (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
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