Who doesn’t love a bit of fired-up Punk ‘n’ Roll? Well, if you don’t, get out of the room and find something else to occupy your mind, for this powerhouse of an album isn’t going to be for you. If you’re still here, then I encourage you to find yourself a copy of the latest release by Lucifer Star Machine, Satanic Age.
Lucifer Star Machine – Satanic Age (The Sign Records)
Release Date: 14 April 2023
Words: Paul Hutchings
The five piece were originally formed in London in 2002, with their debut single, Death Baby, produced by the legend Rat Scabies (The Damned). Based in Hamburg since 2014, the band have regularly toured Europe and the UK, with several albums and singles now firmly nestled in the discography.
Satanic Age is a hyperactive ride over 12 songs (13 if you count the intro track), which rarely provides an opportunity to draw breath. The songs are short, sharp, in-your-face aggro laced with a melodic thread that provides a different vibe and makes them hard to shake off. Written during the pandemic, Satanic Age begins with the sinister Inauguration Of Lucifer, a narrative of demonic proportions which segues neatly into the title track, which is a raging riff fest that provides the band’s blueprint for the rest of the album. But don’t be fooled by the description, for these boys can play, and they bring it hard.
Plenty of groove and music to really let go to as the album progresses. There’s a kind of Volbeat Rockabilly vibe on Psychic Vampires, which is a compliment to LSM, for the Danes also have that infectious style that gets you tapping along without even noticing it. There are several other influences that power through, although LSM clearly have drawn deep to craft their own style. It’s no wonder that the band have toured with the likes of Demented Are Go, and Nashville Pussy, for their high-octane propelled rock would be the ideal complement to those bands.
There’s nothing bad to say about the album. The music is fast and frantic. The chaos that is likely to be caused by the speed of Black Axe, which has an almost thrash crossover feel to it, should probably carry a health warning, for it powers at such pace and intensity that you may want to break something!
Censorshipped shows that the band can tackle the serious stuff, prompting an important message backed by driving riffs and Tor Abyss’s rough-edged snarl. Hard Luck Mary sees a guest vocal from Kit Swing, whose contribution over the guitar work of Mickey Necro and Mighty Ramon brings a nice touch without losing an ounce of the venom that LSM conjure up.
LSM maintain the momentum until the end. They finish strongly with the stomping Till Death, which has a sentimental message and is an apt conclusion to an album that is likely to cause you to break the speed limit if you play it when driving.
But rules are there to be broken, so grab a copy and take the risk. Just don’t blame me if you get caught!
