Lucifugum On Hooks To Pieces
Oaken Shield Records FPG12 2003
By Russell Garwood
Ukranian trio Lucifigum play run-of-the-mill symphonic black metal. In a sound which leans more towards the truer aesthetic, the symphonics are generally simplistic and provide little more than atmosphere and straightforward tunes. The guitars supply a strong dose of melody, being well performed if not hugely original, while the bass is often virtually inaudible. The drums are solid and relatively varied, with occasional blasts and mid-paced double bass work, and the vocals tend to rely on a fairly high, rhythmic rasp. Occasional acoustic sections provide variety in a relatively static CD, and the Ukranian lyrics are interesting to listen to. This said, the entire booklet is also written in Ukranian, so unless you are fluent, band information and song titles will be hard to come by.
Overall this is an uninspired but solid album. Lucifigum can certainly play their instruments, and their brand of symphonic black will attract many fans of the genre. However, originality is certainly not at the fore, and the song-writing tends to have very little variation. Hence, if you want anything slightly out of the ordinary On Hooks To Pieces is probably one to avoid, but if youre after some symphonic black metal that rings of the early nineties it is well worth a try.
Oaken Shield Records FPG12 2003
By Russell Garwood
Ukranian trio Lucifigum play run-of-the-mill symphonic black metal. In a sound which leans more towards the truer aesthetic, the symphonics are generally simplistic and provide little more than atmosphere and straightforward tunes. The guitars supply a strong dose of melody, being well performed if not hugely original, while the bass is often virtually inaudible. The drums are solid and relatively varied, with occasional blasts and mid-paced double bass work, and the vocals tend to rely on a fairly high, rhythmic rasp. Occasional acoustic sections provide variety in a relatively static CD, and the Ukranian lyrics are interesting to listen to. This said, the entire booklet is also written in Ukranian, so unless you are fluent, band information and song titles will be hard to come by.
Overall this is an uninspired but solid album. Lucifigum can certainly play their instruments, and their brand of symphonic black will attract many fans of the genre. However, originality is certainly not at the fore, and the song-writing tends to have very little variation. Hence, if you want anything slightly out of the ordinary On Hooks To Pieces is probably one to avoid, but if youre after some symphonic black metal that rings of the early nineties it is well worth a try.
