Lucifericon/Sabatraxis/Invictus Productions/2024 EP Review

 

  Netherlands's  Lucifericon  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  blackened  death  metal  style  of  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  ep  "Sabatraxis"  which  will  be  released  on  June  21st  by  Invictus  Productions.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later.  Touches  of  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  death  metal  elements.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  evil  whispers  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  brutal  blast  beats.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  one  half  of  the  recording  being  recorded  in  the  studio  and  the  other  half  live  as  well  as  the  closing  track  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  Left  Hand  Path  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Lucifericon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sabatraxis"  and  "Qliphotic  Trance".  8  out  of  10.

  http://invictusproductions666.bandcamp.com/album/sabatraxas-2

www.facebook.com/lucifericon 

Lucifericon/The Warlock of Da'ath/Invictus Productions/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Lucifericon  are  a  band  from  the  Netherlands  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "The  Warlock  of  Da'ath"  which  will b e  released  in  November b y  Invictus  Productions.

  Ritualistic  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  riffing  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.

 Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Elements  of  death  metal  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  being  heavily  rooted  in  the  early  90's  era  of  the  previously  mentioned  genre  as  well  having  their melodic  moments.

  The  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  show  an  influence  of  doom  metal, synths  and  acoustic  guitars  are  also  utilized  on  a  couple  of  tracks  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  can  also be  heard. The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  Left  Hand  Path  themes

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Lucifericon  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Qliphotic  Trance"  "Sigillum  Azoetia"  The  Map  Of  Possibility"  and  "The  Warlock  of  Da'ath".  8  out  of  10.

  http://invictusproductions666.bandcamp.com/album/the-warlock-of-daath

www.facebook.com/lucifericon 

  

Lucifericon Interview

Lucifericon answers by Anton (guitarist) and Rob (bass/Vocx):

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Anton: We’ve finished the recordings of Al-Khem-Me end of spring 2018.
The layout job was taken care of from spring till summer and late july we delivered the complete production to Invictus,our label.
After the summer holiday’s we startend rehearsing the songs in the way we’ve recorded them and also start writing new material.
We always rehearse our live set and write new songs during the time when we are at home and when we don’t have to prepare ourselves for upcoming live abominations.

2.You have your first full length coming out in October, what are some of the things you have done different musically on this recording that you where not able to do with your previous releases?

Anton: Of course we wanted to improve everything we did previously on all fronts.
Therefore we spent more time on the arrangements of the songs.
The song structures and riffs are more open, which created more space for the vocals, solo’s and guitar melodies.
The quality of the guitarsolo’s en melodies also improved which made our songs stronger.
Knowing what to do with the melodies you can emphasize the dark atmosphere in the music, which is exactly what we aim for, making the songs as dark as we possibly can.
We’ve spent alot of time creating a natural old school sound which doesnt sound dated, but full bodied, agressive and in your face.
We are very pleased with the overall sound on the album and our producer Mersus did a tremendous job.

3.Your lyrics are very well reasearched into the occult, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the esoteric arts and the various paths of occultism that you bring into the lyrics?

Rob: Ive allways been interested in the dark side of existence. Already as a young teenager.
With existence i mean within us, spiritually/mentally, and outside us , the cosmos.
I am not a follower of any path per se, but I take from any path that appeals to me, the best content I see fit for me to enhance my being.
I believe its better to pave your own path rather then following any.
The darker sides of existence I don't see as portraying or glorifying the negative. Not at all.
I see it as the realms untravelled and as gateways to new insights.
So my interests vary from Cosmology , Philosophy , all sorts of Magic, you name it...a wide range really.
I don't like to limit myself to what I wanna write about.

4.In a previous interview you had meny studying Crowley, Levi, Spare and Grant, are there any other occultists that have had an influence on your world view?

Rob: The ones you mention are a great contribution indeed.
Others that have inspired me are Andrew Chumbley , Blavatsky , Michael Kelly , Peter Caroll , etc
But I take interest in historical figures like Einstein and that too...

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Lucifericon'?

Rob: Well, I was listening to the old swedish band Grotesque one day, and they scream the words 'Ia Lucifericon'in the track 'Blood runs from the Altar'.
Considering my interests, and my fascination for the character of Lucifer and all the different forms,
thoughts and entities that he represents...it kinda stuck with me.
So basically I had to use it, there was no way back once that name got stuck in my brain.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?

Rob: The word Alchemy represents a process of change. Literally its the transmutation/purification of metals.
Philosphically it represents a purification of the self, also a form of change. A journey basically.
And 'Khem' means 'black earth', so its about the journey through the dark sides of the self enhancing your being.
The four snakes represent the 4 members in the band. Them travelling through several dimensional spaces represents the journey.
Them reaching the symbols of Azoth represents the transmutation into the most high.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Anton: We are not a band that will be touring very much, not now or in the near future.
That’s nearly impossible coz of jobs and families and its difficult to organize to be away for a long period of time.
But we did some great gigs during the past years.
I think the gig with Demilich and Lantern in Kuopio,Finland in September 2017 was great.
The gig with In Aeternum and Venefixion in Deinze,Belgium February 2017 was killer,
and the gig at NRW Deathfest in Wermelskirchen,Germany 2016 was great.
Our stage performance is a dark, agressive and intense experience.
This isn’t something which will work out the best in every occasion.
Our music is very dark, so playing in full daylight won't give you the best Lucifericon experience.
But we understand that playing festivals sometimes theres no choice so we gotta take it as it comes.
Playing inside a venue is something we prefer and works out the best.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

Anton: We're busy trying to plan some weekend tours and separate gigs during 2019.
There's a plan to do a 10 days european headline tour next year in may. Hopefully this will happen.
Also in May we perform at Graveland festival alongside Marduk , Entombed AD,  Dead Congregation , The Crown and more.
When the album is released there certainly will be some more gigs planned.
So just keep an eye on our Facebook page to see when we are around.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?

Rob: We have been getting amazing responses worldwide to what we're doing.
We are still a small band, which is fine, but people having asking for our stuff from across the globe.
And reactions to our liveshows were also pretty amazing.
If thats not very positive then we're all doomed.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Anton: Our drummer Tim also plays drums in an all round metal cover band (The Covering) and creates thrashing madness with a band called Razend.
Razend has almost finished recording their 2nd album.
I'm not sure when its supposed to be out, but if you like furious well played thrash metal, check em out.
Our other guitarist Alex is also playing the strings in Pentacle. They are also writing new material at the moment.
Me and Rob stick to Lucifericon as their main band at the moment.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Rob: The band had a certain style right from the get go.
We don't think that has changed at all, but we are better players now at what we do, and we aim to continue to do so.
Don't expect any wild style changes from us.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Anton: In general the main influence is Death/Thrash and black metal from the late 80’s - early 90’s.
But all the members listen to several styles of metal.
If we have to mention some of the most important bands that influenced us: Morbid Angel,Grotesque,Dismember,
Edge of Sanity,Grave,Possessed,Dissection,Death, Infernal Majesty, Slayer and so on...

We are listening al kinds of styles from obscure death metal to progressive rock.
Some great death metal acts from the last years are Vorum, Venenum, Morbus Chron (RIP), Alkaloid.


13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Rob: The release date for the new album is October 5 , so check out the album when it comes out.
We hope alot of the show plans will happen for next year to see all you maniacs out there.
We are busy updating our bandcamp page for ordering our merchandise.
New shirts are being up as we speak.
You can also visit our facebook page and send us a message there or email us.
So keep an eye on all that for information regarding all of it.

Thanks for the interview mate, and cheers to all you Nephilimnic offspring !!

Rob/Anton for Lucifericon

Contact/Info pages:
www.facebook.com/lucifericon
https://lucifericon.bandcamp.com
email: lucifericon@upcmail.nl

Bandcamp

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Lucifericon/Al-Khem-Me/Invictus Productions/2018 CD Review

  Lucifericon  are  a  band  from t he  Netherlands  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Al-Khem-Me"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Invictus  Productions.

  Grim  black  metal  screams  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  yet  chaotic  style  as  well  as  the  vocals  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  death  metal  growls.

  Dark  sounding  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  fast  riffs  also  bringing  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  music  also  has  a  lot  of  influences  from  90's  but  still  manages  to  capture  a  very  modern  atmosphere  and  the  music  always  remains  very  heavy,  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on  the  closing  track.

  Lucifericon  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  style,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Alchemy,  Thelema,  and  Left  Hand  Path  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Lucifericon  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Inside The  Serpents  "I"  "Flesh  Unto  Void,  Void  Unto  Flesh  (Thr  Twofold  Gate)"  and  "Sevenfold".  8/5  out  of  10. 

http://invictusproductions666.bandcamp.com/album/al-khem-me

Lucifericon/The Occult Waters/Blood Harvest Records/2013 EP Review

  Lucifericon  are  a  band  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death/thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their 2012  ep  "The  Occult  Waters"  which  was  released  by  Blood  Harvest  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  old  school  death  metal  with  thrash  and  some  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  sounding  old  school  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  when  they  are  utilized  use  finger  picking  to  bring  a  dark  atmosphere  to  the  ep.

  Vocals  are  all  blackened  death  metal  screams  and  growls,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness,  Left  Hand  Path  and  Luciferian  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  old  school  sound  to  it.

  In   my  opinion  Lucifericon  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  blackened  death/thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  e.p.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Temple  Of  Lucifericon"  and  "Deathtongue".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

LUCIFERICON Bandcamp