Something very special reached me through the Metalrage headquarters. It was Lucifer Was, a band that broke up at the end of the 70ties. I guess this is the decennium of resurrection and Lucifer Was thought the same. A shitload of musicians together, creating that old school 70ties rock. The album is called The Divine Tree. What a way to start my vacation in Croatia!

 

The first track (also the title track) is plain instant rock, with weird Eastern influences in it. I thought I was listening to some Chinese meditation music, when I heard the chorus. The music is a crossing with bands like Iggy Pop, Deep Purple and Celtic Frost, with vocals that reminded me of David Byron of Uriah Heep. These are all bands that I really crave, especially when I saw them live (although David Byron is not with Uriah Heep anymore).

 

The best feeling I had with this album was with the 4^th song called ‘Almost Home’, when we were driving back home to the Netherlands. The lyrics handle about coming back to your own place in this world, after a long trip through unexplored countries. The music is kass-kicking, and that is mostly due to the fact that they use a Hammond organ. I’m a big fan of the ultimate sound of that organ, so that is of course a personal taste.

 

Shortly, this is a great mix of newer styles of rock, combined with the same old school rock. This leads to a catchy mix where the old rockers can revive their youth, and the younger ones can be educated. 

 

I still am very positive about this album and it really is old school rock wrapped in a 2000 package. There aren’t many bands that resurrect and manage to sound exactly as they would have sounded in the 70ties. People who can enjoy themselves with those old sounds, should definitely listen to this album once, then make your own opinion.