Lucifer’s Child – The Illuminant
Release Date: 28th March 2025
Label: Agonia Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Hellenic Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal.
FFO: Rotting Christ, Necrophobic, Varathron, Yoth Iria.
Review By: Rick Farley
Lucifer’s Child formed in 2013 in Athens, Greece by guitarist George Emmanuel (ex- Rotting Christ) and bassist Stathis Ridis (ex-Nightfall). After quickly expanding into a quartet with vocalist Marios Dupont (Karma Violens) and drummer Nick Vell (Chaostar), the band released their debut album The Wiccan in 2015. The record received high praise, and the band followed it up with The Order in 2018. After a seven-year hiatus, Lucifer’s Child returns with new bassist Kostas Gerochristos and their third full length album The Illuminant releasing via Agonia Records. Hellenic blasphemy awaits us all.
For those unfamiliar with the genre, it’s the Greek’s take on black metal, and it’s equally as savage. Unjustly overlooked and overshadowed by its northern kin, Hellenic black metal has been just as active for nearly just as long. Not fuelled by church burnings, and murder, the Hellenic sound is rooted much more in traditional first wave riffing, mid paced tempos, anthemic songwriting and more atmospheric use of synths. Also, often including folk elements from Greece’s rich history and its mythology. Essentially, if you were to take away the frozen soundscapes of Norway and replace it with the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll have Hellenic black metal.
The Illuminant kicks off wickedly with Antichrist. Immediate chest bursting blast beats are met with infernal tremolo picking that sounds like hell itself is coming through the speakers. The gravely rasp of Marios is a lower range shriek that’s effective at being sinister. The high octane pace never relents, showing the albums ruthless brutality right from the get-go. Walls of riffs obliterate nearly everything in its path, leaving only the coarse dust of bones in its wake. Track two, however, As Bestas takes a much different approach with its black n’ roll stompiness. No less fierce, but its bite is more deliberate and predatory, assuming a hypnotic approach built for anthemic fist pumping. The guitars swirl maliciously, while the stampeding bass drum puts pressure on your neck as it forces you into the ground. Album closer And all is Prelude is a spiritual awakening of all the evils in the world. It’s spellbinding melody and chanting vocals are malevolent yet alluring. Horrifying growls, while the background chanting continues over a droning guitar riff sounds truly threatening. Devilish melodies over simple chord changes that maintain a constant moving rhythm adds an incredible amount of fiendish atmosphere to the track, almost as if it’s conjuring up a demonic beast.
The Illuminant was produced, mixed, and mastered by George Emmanuel at Pentagram Studio (Septic Flesh, Demonical, Necromantia) with the exception of the drums which were recorded at Pale Blue Dot Studios. For black metal, this sounds huge. Sharp modern production with a jagged bite and booming low end mixed in perfectly gives this record abrasiveness without all the trebly lo-fi screechiness. Not that the old school sound isn’t amazing in its own way as well, but Hellenic black metal is meant to have clarity and warmth.
Lucifer’s Child hasn’t rewritten black metal with The Illuminant, but this nearly forty minute peak into hell is a solid, well written, well executed album that easily will please any black metal fan regardless of age or geographical location. Its first half is a little stronger than its second in terms of focus, showing a smoother transition between tracks. That however doesn’t detract from this being worth your time. Easy recommend.
(3.5 / 5)
