We cannot say that the Norwegians of 'Lucifer Was' have made a great reputation in progressive rock because, active since the 70s, they only started releasing albums at the end of the 90s and 'En Fix Ferdig Mann' is their 8th studio recording. The particularity is that this last opus which succeeds 'Morning Star', already dating from 2017, is sung in Norwegian. Led by the only survivor of the 70s, the guitarist 'Thore Engen' who is also the author and composer of the group, the rest of the line up consists of 'Jon Ruder' on vocals, Andreas Sjo Engen' on guitar, 'Arne Martinussen' on keyboards, 'Bjørn Malmåsen' and 'Arild Brøter' on drums. They offer us progressive rock taking us back to the 70s and we could place them between the moderate progressive of 'Jethro Tull' and the more muscular progressive of 'Uriah Heep'.
'Frå Fyrste Dag' welcomes us with magnificent vocal arrangements and continues in symphonic progressive which presents a theatrical atmosphere on a catchy melody that we appropriate from the first listen, then, 'Ein Fix Ferdig Mann ', on a slower tempo, takes us into a rhythmic track on which 'Jon Ruder' offers us a very expressive vocal performance, the choirs accompanying him and the guitar solo in the second part being remarkable. With 'Krig I Opne Landskap', a change of register for a fairly contemporary introduction which continues with a muscular section, and which then shows an epic face in sung sections alternating energetic parts and calmer ones, 'Arne Martinussen' leading to the organ has a very appreciable imposing side, then, 'Ei Gåte' continues in imaginative progressive on a very beautiful mid-tempo with a new catchy melody. Follows 'Når Natta Kjem og Tek Meg' which brings a melancholy pause and which is performed by a singer bringing a touching feminine presence, then, 'Eg Vil Ha Det Eg Vil Ha' hardens the subject for a more energetic title which can make think in some places of 'Jethro Tull'. With 'Snømann i Sol', we are taken into a syrupy and melancholy ballad which flirts with Italy, contrasting with the rest of the album but which brings a very particular emotion thanks to the moving vocal performance and the very beautiful electric guitar accompaniment, then we find a theatrical side in 'Aftenbøn Til Dauden' which benefits from a more complex construction and which highlights magnificent choirs in a musical comedy atmosphere. The album ends with 'Kunsten Å Gjere Ingenting' which takes us into a final ballad with very beautiful melodic lines and with magnificent vocal arrangements which form a beautiful accompaniment bringing an atmosphere filled with a very pleasant nonchalance.
In summary, the Norwegians of 'Lucifer Was' offer us a very beautiful, diversified album, which takes us into imaginative progressive and full of beautiful theatricality, with, icing on the cake, immediate accessibility thanks to beautiful melodic lines accessible at first listen... | |
