Martyr Lucifer – Gazing at the Flocks (CD Review)

Martyr Lucifer – Gazing at the Flocks

Martyr Lucifer (vocals, synth, programming)
Leìt – (Vocals)
Adrian Erlandsson (Drums)
Nagaarum  (Guitars)
Simone Mularoni (Bass)

01. Veins of Sand Pt. 1
02. Veins of Sand Pt. 2
03. Bloodwaters
04. Feeders, aka Heterotrophy / Saprotrophy
05. Leda and the Swan Pt. 1
06. Leda and the Swan Pt. 2
07. Wolf of the Gods
08. Somebody Super Like You
09. Benighted & Begotten
10. Spiderqueen
11. Flocks
12. Halkyónē's Legacy, aka The Song of Empty Heavens

Formed in 2011 as a solo project, Martyr Lucifer teamed up with some Hortus Animae members, the Ukrainian artist Leìt and international artists like Adrian Erlandsson (At the Gates, Paradise Lost) and Vrolok (ex-Nokturnal Mortum, Ygg) to form an alternative rock music project with echoes of wave and goth and the subsequent worldwide release of his first output as solo artist, “Farewell to Graveland”, via Buil2Kill Records.

In 2013 he released his second set of recordings, “Martyr Lucifer's Shards” (Outline Rekordz) a collection of three previously unreleased EP's which started showing a stronger presence of Leìt's role, and featured, among others, Simone Mularoni (DGM, empYrios) on guitars and bass, Antarktica (Darkend) on the strings' section, Dario Ciccioni (empYrios) & Adrian Erlandsson returning on drums.

2017 – A new band, a new sound. Martyr Lucifer recruited drummer Fox (ex-Educis Nubila, Zachary) and guitarist Alexios (Deadly Carnage) to prepare live dates and new album. In the meantime, a new digital single “Lady Bird”, a retro/future take of a Nancy Sinatra classic, is released.

Bringing us right up to date and Martyr Lucifer signs a deal with Seahorse Recordings, an Italian label which is flag-bearer in the alternative/indie scene. This contract leads to the worldwide release of the “Gazing at the Flocks” album in two different editions: Digipack CD and 2CD Slipcase, the latter to contain the bonus disc “The Oniric Session”, recorded live at Domination Studio and featuring a selection of new and old songs.
Returning to the studio once again is Adrian Erlandsson.

Loaded this one into the player and was struck almost immediately by the quality of the music, ‘Veins of the Sand Pt1 & Pt2’ has this wonderful retro gothic metal sound, powerful drumming (as to be expected), great riffs and an interesting vocal delivery, at times spoken and then some impressive harmonies.

This moody and melodic style continues until we come to ‘Leda and the Swans Pt 1 & Pt2’ very different sound, more electro pop and with some neat little synth pulses added in. Really great duet between male and female vocals. Then some pounding doom guitar and drums to end!

‘Wolf of the Gods’ could almost be an early Sisters of Mercy song, but I think I detect a hint of ‘Deathstars’ (a band that Mr Erlandsson also worked with).

Next really stand out song is ‘Benighted & Begotten’ a six minute slow and atmospheric piece that starts off with quiet vocals over a simple guitar sound, as the song progresses it just builds, becoming more aggressive whilst the vocal remains at the same slow and dark pace, brilliant and once again benefits from the added female vocal.

‘Flocks’ is a strange one, full on death metal drumming with a harmonic dual vocal and keyboard work, then it just stops and turns into a gothic ballad.
Last up is ‘Halkyónē's Legacy, aka The Song of Empty Heavens’ , this one offers much more, blending as it does, slow piano and superb female vocal with a neo prog/acid-folk composition, its melancholic tones come through the speakers as if floating on clouds, a pure joy to listen to.
Rating 10/10
For Fans Of: Deathstars, Sisters Of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, Tiamat. Paradise Lost.