‘Be and Exist’ is the next step in the evolution of Lucifer’s Hammer. 2021’s ‘The Trip’ already saw the Chilean band enhancing their NWOBHM-based sound with more adventurous compositions, making their music more than just solid and fun, but their latest release really goes a long way in carving a unique identity for Lucifer’s Hammer. It’s a logical evolution, but it also appears to be influenced by the underground trend of darkening traditional heavy metal a bit. As always with such developments, however, they have transformed into something different and overall more interesting by the time they hit South America.

Very early Iron Maiden is still Lucifer’s Hammer’s most audible influence on ‘Be and Exist’. Guitar harmonies and raw traditional heavy metal riffs still dominate the band’s sound. Elements have been added to expand the sound, however. Lucifer’s Hammer very subtly and tastefully added occasional keyboards to the mix, giving a few moments on the album a bit of a ‘Somewhere in Time’ atmosphere, though more frequently a slight eighties hard rock vibe, without losing the raw power of heavy metal in the process. The gripping mid-tempo gallop – which would technically make it a trot – of ‘Antagony’ is probably the best example here.

Lucifer’s Hammer have also simply upped their game when it comes to songwriting. Opening track ‘Real Nightmares’ has hooks galore, and a sudden atmospheric middle section that breaks the song open in a very effective way, creating what almost feels like a breather within an oppressive atmosphere, while the latter is still there. ‘Medusa Spell’ alternates massive guitar harmonies with likely the best vocal melodies on the album, which are frequently harmonized as well. The closing titular epic is another highlight, culminating in a number of fantastic guiar solos and an almost gothic outro carried by a haunting clean arpeggio.

Those afraid that Lucifer’s Hammer forgot how to riff and rock need not worry, however. The aforementioned ‘Real Nightmares’ is one of the most propulsive tracks on the album, as is ‘The Fear of Anubis’, which feels like a tribute to Iron Maiden’s early instrumentals. ‘Son of Earth’ is built on a number of highly enjoyable NWOBHM-style riffs and has some unexpected developments, despite never getting too complex. ‘Glorious Night’, while catchy, has a foundation of intense riffs from the darker side of the traditional heavy metal spectrum. Even the production screams that the album should have come out between 1978 and 1982.

What really makes Lucifer’s Hammer stand out among a field of bands going for a darkened heavy metal sound is that they do their own thing with it. They don’t just throw a bunch of chorus-heavy clean guitar lines and a particularly passionate vocal performance against it; the foundation of what they do is still clearly old school heavy metal with a somewhat occult atmosphere. Also, it is admirable how much the songwriting has improved since the band’s early days, and even since the already quite impressive ‘The Trip’. ‘Be and Exist’ is a must-hear for fans of traditional, yet adventurous heavy metal.

Recommended tracks: ‘Real Nightmares’, ‘Be and Exist’, ‘Antagony’