Luciferian Light Orchestra - Black (2016)

Arriving today from musical genius Christofer Johnsson of Therion, we have his psychedelic side project Luciferian Light Orchestra and their latest EP titled “Black”. Using the stuff he thinks is too retro for Therion, Christopher and company deliver four excellent songs that while sounding familiar, they still have a very distinctive and creepy vibe to then. If you are a fan of any of Therion’s albums, you will certainly find this release very interesting.

Opening with the intense “Evil Masquerade”, the vocal arrangements sound eerily familiar with a perfect blend of female and male vocals. The music however, has a very distinctive 70’s vibe to it with warm fuzzy guitar tones and a psychedelic vibe. As the album continues with “Where the Lilies Grow”, we get shivers as we hear the magical female vocals perfectly paired with a creepy vibe, similar to older works of Sabbath Assembly.

Things pick up a bit with the upbeat “Serpent Messiah”, a song that features very solid guitar work and a nicer and perkier pace. This track has a certain edge that reminds us of Jess and the Ancient Ones. The album closes with the seductive “Thunder Perfect Mind”, a track that has nice organs to adorn a very mellow pace. The cascading guitars as the song progresses are quite a treat.

Overall, “Black” is one hell of a short EP that will feed your Therion-needs while style claiming its own identity. Christofer and company manage to create a very emotional and atmospheric release that submerges the listener into their world. If you like the ‘darker’ Psychedelic Rock/Metal bands like Sabbath Assembly and Jess and the Ancient Ones and wondered how they would sound if Therion was blended into the mix, look no further and check this one out.

Label: Svart Records

Release: December 9th, 2016

Genre: Psychedelic/Gothic Rock

Country: Sweden