Search - Lucifer Was :: Divine Tree

The Divine Review

Tore | Norway | 03/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before I start I would like to mention that progressive rock is not a genre that I listen most to. My knowledge to bands like Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc is limited. As these are bands whom Lucifer Was is heavily influenced by, I believe LW's songs contain lots of referances and nods to these kinds of bands that hardcore fans of prog rock will recognize, but myself (with my rather mainstream taste in music) will not get.



The songs strike me as a mixture between Underground & Beyond and In Anadi's Bower with a slight emphasis on the first one. Even though there are a few "slow" songs, the overall tone seems more metal with a hint of 80ies hard rock. The opening track is my personal favourite, a song I first heard during a concert in Gothenburg the fall of 2000. It's a grand, heavy song that unlike songs by The Darkness manages to stay clear of vulgarity. In my opinion there are 3 songs that really define Lucifer Was: Scrubby Maid (Underground & Beyond), Little Child (In Anadi's Bower) and now The Divine Tree. The first one is a diamond in the rough, prog rock in its most bare form. Little Child is a 11 minute long epos with its beautiful transitions and The Divine Tree is a fullblood and tight rock tune.



I think some of the songs on the album lack the little extra to become memorable, but again, this is from a guy with mainstream taste in music. Determination has a small hook, The First Mover is perhaps Lucifer Was' hardest song of all times, but doesn't quite make it to the top for me. Almost Home is the song I like the least, because I find it too nagging and monotome at times, but saves itself from disaster with a ok middle.



However, I can mention some favourites, like On Earth with cool guitar play, good singing, rhythm and snap. The ending track, Crosseyed, is a long and slow song which reminds me a lot of Little Child. Although it doesn't reach Little Child's level of excellence, it works perfect as this album's swan song and you get the feeling of finally reaching the top of the divine tree. Lyrically speaking I really can't say much, the theme seems to be a continuation from the previous albums, where the story centers around the relationship between mankind and God.



The Divine Tree is more professional than Lucifer Was' previous outings, the timing and energy seems more polished and I believe lots of work has been put in the post-production. And with 3 new, fantastic songs (in my opinion) this album is absolutely worth a purchase - still ridin'!



[Note: This review was originally written in Norwegian, so I apologize for any broken English]"