Luciferian Light Orchestra — Black EP

Luciferian Light Orchestra are a band formed by Therion’s Christofer Johnsson. The songs performed by the band are songs that Johnsson has written over the years that he deemed too retro sounding for Therion. The full band lineup has not been released, however Christofer has announced that they are” a mix of old symphonic rock and progressive musicians, some current Therion members, one ex. Therion member and some artists from other bands. Plus some known and unknown people from Dragon Rouge giving a hand with backing vocals.”  This E.P. is the follow up to the band’s self-titled debut album that was released in 2015 and was recorded and mixed by Christofer at Adulruna Studio and and mixed by Lennart Östlund (LED ZEPPELIN, ABBA) at Polar.

Opening track ‘Evil Masquerade’ firmly places Luciferian Light Orchestra in the Occult Rock camp. Very obviously written by Christofer Johnsson. It has all the hallmarks of his Therion work, great pop hooks, and the symphonic and progressive sound that is unmistakably his, however there is something new and fresh about it. It has a definite 1970s witchy feel to it. I am reminded in places of both Ghost and to a lesser extent Sabbath Assembly.  Haunting female vocals beguile us with their beauty, whilst keyboards add a heavy progressive side to the music.

Second track ‘Where the Lilies Grow’ follows up with more of the same great Occult inspired rock. The guitar melodies remind one of Abba in their prime and there is an overall feeling of the Swedish popsters about the whole E.P. As we already know they have always been a big influence on Johnsson as a songwriter, and it really comes through here, by the time we get to the repeated refrain of ‘The Devil Own’s your soul’ we are enchanted.

The third track ‘Serpent Messiah’ begins as a melodic reasonably up tempo number, around a minute and a half in it changes and begins something much darker and more esoteric. The vocals are almost chanted and the riffs more reminiscent of Black Sabbath. There is some fabulous interplay between the guitars and keyboards, that really brings the track to life.

Final track ‘Thunder Perfect Mind’ instantly reminds me of Sabbath Assembly’s debut album ‘Restored to One’. There is a wonderful bewitching quality about the vocals that is reminiscent of Jessica Toth at her best. There is a heavy keyboard presence on this track, that works very well. The guitars really kick in around the midpoint and work really well alongside the keyboards to produce some beautifully doomy sounds. Around the five minute mark some great chanting vocals join the fray helping to bring the E.P. to a close.

Johnsson has created something of a masterpiece here. It took a couple of listens to take it all in, but this is a fantastic record. It wears its influences on its sleeve, however it has plenty of its own sound to suggest that this is no mere pastiche of others.  This has the hooks that made Ghost and Abba into huge stars, but with the impeccable songwriting and performances of those heavy 1970s progressive rock legends like Atomic Rooster or Uriah Heep. This goes down as one of my favourite records of the year. It may only be four tracks long, but I can’t wait to hear what’s next and it’s also inspired me to hunt down their debut album, because if it’s this good then I’ll be a very happy man. My only criticism is that it’s not long enough, but I can’t bring myself to reduce its mark for that, this is a five star E.P. that has made its way onto my everyday playlist.