To be released on September 25 is a 5 CD lift-lid box which contains LUCIFER’S FRIEND’S 3 albums from their reunion years (2015-2019), as well as 1994’s Sumogrip, and the excellent 1981 album Mean Machine – all remastered by Andy Pearce.

Lucifer’s Friend released their debut album in 1971, very heavy and doomy, which is often listed among the classics of the era, alongside the first few Black Sabbath albums, Deep Purple’s In Rock, and Uriah Heep’s debut as well. The band would shift directions or styles from album to album, maintaining a core line up of Lawton, Peter Hesslein (guitar), Dieter Horns (bass), and Peter Hecht (keyboards), along with drummers Joachim Rietenbach and Herbert Bornhold. Following Lawton’s departure to Uriah Heep in 1976, Lucifer’s Friend carried on for 2 albums with Scottish singer Mike Starrs. This box begins with the band’s reunion album Mean Machine, which saw a return to a Hard rock sound, with heavy guitars and big riffs. But with poor promotion, the band soon split up. Lawton & Hesslein reformed Lucifer’s Friend, with a new line up for 1994’s Sumogrip (as ‘Lucifer;s Friend II’). A good album, but less heavy, featuring standouts “Heartbreaker” and “Sheree”, as well as remakes of “Ride The Sky” and “Free Me” (Uriah Heep). Again, decades would pass before the band reformed with Lawton, Hesslein, and Horns. First came the compilation Awakening, which included 14 tracks, 4 of which were brand new (put on a seperate disc); I don’t see these tracks here(?). Next the band played the Sweden Rock Festival,, and released a live album from that show. This was followed by 2016’s Too Late To Hate, and a final album, Black Moon, from 2019 – both good albums, though I prefer the latter, highly recommended. Sadly, Dieter Horns passed away in 2019, and John Lawton in 2021. The Last Stand was released later in 2021, a compilation, which included songs from the last 4 albums.

Jokers And Fools will be a welcome release for those interested in this legendary band. Although the last few albums aren’t that old, having all 5 albums together looks like a nice collection for fans. I’m also looking forward to the booklet, which includes an introduction from Iris Lawton. The band’s earlier albums are harder to find on CD (including Mean Machine), so here’s hoping that this is followed up with another such box set, including the band’s ’70s releases.

*For more info, tracklisting, and pre-ordering, go to – https://www.cherryred.co.uk/lucifer-s-friend-jokers-and-fools-5cd-edition