LUCIFER’S FRIEND (John Lawton) – Too Late To Hate (2016)

Released today via Cherry Red Records, “Too Late To Hate” is LUCIFER’S FRIEND first true new studio record since 1981. Lucifer’s Friend reformed in 2015 featuring core original members John Lawton (ex- Uriah Heep, Zar), Peter Hesslein and Dieter Horns, along with long-term members Jogi Wichmann and Stephan Eggert.

About one year ago, when it was announced that cult rockers Lucifer’s Friend were to return for the last time with John Lawton at the front, nobody thought there would be something more than a few new tracks for a classics collection and selected festival dates.
But first, those dates had been extended well into 2016, and then, rather unexpectedly, a new album was announced.

Not only we have a dozen cuts of brand new material, of which one is live, but quite possibly it won’t be the last we’ll hear from Lucifer’s Friend.
Lawton said after the band having played the Rock Of Ages festival recently, and the Prog Night at the Loreley Festival in Germany: “things are looking good for the future of LUCIFER’S FRIEND.”

There has been some reissues, re-recordings and recorded reunion shows by Lucifer’s Friend in the last 30 years, but never a full album, a full-band package.
The first thing that impressed me of “Too Late To Hate” is how glued the band feels. The year touring with many gigs and festivals has paid off.
Secondly, the really good material on offer. And third, the very strong production, akin the Lucifer’s of old but truly dynamic, modern, updated to current times.

New album “Too Late To Hate” sounds like mix of classic Uriah Heep, 85’s Deep Purple and why not, some House Of Lords / Ten. Just check the great ‘Straight for the Heart’ for the latter comparisons.
‘Demolition Man’ is driven by a very modern riff, while ‘Tears’ sounds very contemporary and even melodic rock / poppy at places.

But of course, the classic style is still present on ‘Tell Me Why’ (epic vocals by Lawton), the slightly progressive ‘I Will Be There’, and the Hammond organ filled ‘Sea of Promises’ (some DIO on it).
If you need some AOR (in the vein of ’90s TEN) then listen to ‘When Children Cry’ (one of the highlights for me) or the excellent ‘Don’t Talk to Strangers’.
For a true classic rock ballad, ‘This Time’ fulfills your expectations with a bluesy touch.

Lucifer’s Friend returned with their spirit intact, mixing their classic style with some modernized touches. Of course, the ‘modernized’ word applies for production, as song-wise we are dealing with Seventies / Eighties stuff here, and some of the best quality.
Very, strongly recommended.

01 – Demolition Man
02 – Jokers & Fools
03 – When Children Cry
04 – Straight for the Heart
05 – Tell Me Why
06 – Don’t Talk to Strangers
07 – I Will Be There
08 – This Time
09 – Tears
10 – Sea of Promises
11 – Brothers Without a Name
12 – When You’re Gone (Live)

John Lawton – Vocals
Peter Hesslein – Guitars
Dieter Horns – Bass
Jogi Wichmann – Keyboards
Stephan Eggert – Drums

BUY IT !
www.cherryred.co.uk/product/too-late-to-hate/
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