Lucifer – II
Release Date: July 6, 2018
I have been a diehard follower of Johanna Sadonis since she first entered the scene with The Oath who released one absolutely amazing album. While the Oath was short lived, Sadonis wasted no time returning to the scene with Lucifer and their album Lucifer I. Since then, Sadonis has gone through a change in record labels, assembled and completely new line up, and shed the skin of anything that may have hindered her in the past. She rose above it all and returned in 2018 with Lucifer.
Do you know that feeling when a band comes around with a totally revamped line up and you find yourself disappointed at the direction and kind of wish for things to go back the way they were? Well this is definitely not the case here. As a matter of fact, Lucifer II has Sadonis sounding completely reborn, energized and more confident than ever. The album was recorded as a three piece with Sadonis on vocals, Saturn guitarist Robin Tinderbrink on guitar, and Nicke Anderson on guitar/drums/bass and the three of them as a unit created enough music to be created by five people.
Opening with the Deep Purple infused “California Son”, I felt completely pumped the fuck up. This song just kicks all kinds of ass and again, hearing Sadonis sound so awoken and so confident just hit me like a two ton heavy thing. “Dreamer” is a gorgeous dark, brooding, slow burn ballad of sorts but “Phoenix”, in my opinion is the real show stopper on this album. This song pretty much sounds like it could have been one of the best KISS songs never made.
Performance wise, Lucifer II nailed it on all aspects. I know I’m going to get a lot of hate for this but on the Lucifer I album, so much emphasis was put on Gaz Jennings being in the band but honestly, this line up sounds so much more cohesive and there is such great chemistry among them. While Lucifer I was an amazing album, it just seemed to come across as a really great Sabbath Worship album. With Lucifer II, Sadonis seems to feel freer to spread her wings and stretch out beyond the confines of the trendy Sabbath Worship.
Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of songs on this album that embody that vibe of Sabbath like “Reaper On Your Heels”, Eyes in the Sky”, and “Aton” but there are also elements of bands like Heart (“Before the Sun), KISS and Blue Oyster Cult just to name a few. Lucifer II is so much more than just a second coming. Lucifer II is a whole new beginning and this is something that I hope, as a huge Lucifer fan, I can see Sadonis and company grow upon. Easily one of my favorite albums of 2018, Lucifer II is going to be a really tough act to follow.
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