Lightforce: Mystical Thieves 2019 Reissue | Here There Is Mysticism…
(2019 – Soundmass)
Heavy Metal is timeless. It’s not a fad. Many people already know this (I suppose), which is why it’s sometimes worth sticking to the search for gems like this one, the second album by Australian band Lightforce, which was reissued in 2019. A little history: Lightforce is the original band of Steve Rowe, later the mastermind behind Mortification, which was active in the 1980s. Later, Rowe, in addition to changing members, would change the name of Lightforce to Mortification, given the drastic change he brought to the band’s musical style. Here, his role is solely to be the bassist of this group, compose, and occasionally provide some backing vocals. The vocals come from Steve Johnson’s microphone, with Murray Adams on guitar and Errol Willenberg on drums completing the lineup. The result has little to do with what Mortification would later become. This is a nuclear bomb of authentic 80s Heavy Metal.
“Mystical Thieves” was released in 1989 and in just eight songs they give us a lesson in violent riffs and galloping speed, sometimes even flirting a little with thrash metal. In a way, it reminds us of early Iron Maiden, from the Paul Di Anno era, whom Steve Johnson’s vocal style somewhat evokes. “Mystical Thieves,” the title track, opens the album with a furious start, showing from the outset the fury that characterizes Lightforce, even in their mid-tempo songs. Next up is “Crossfire,” a galloping track that opens the door to “City Streets,” one of the best and fastest songs on the entire album, which should easily be considered a classic. “Metal Missionary,” for those who know something about the band, is perhaps the song that best identifies Lightforce. It’s a declaration of principles with a catchy riff, perhaps more closely linked to hard rock. That doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s one of the highlights of Mystical Thieves. I would highlight, above the other tracks on the album, “Searching,” a true metal anthem, with many of the elements that would later characterize the first Mortification. Especially in its frenetic changes between going full speed ahead and slowing down to amalgamate the whole thing. The album is completed by “Children Of Sorrow” and “Fast Lane,” which follow the same pattern. Finally, Lightforce ventures into more epic territory and brings us the extensive “Babylon,” the album’s standout track and a fitting finale to an incredible work.
Due to subtle differences in sound, Mystical Thieves sometimes gives the impression of having been recorded in different sessions and studios, although everything indicates that it was recorded at Timbertop Studios in Ringwood, Australia. In any case, this is not a problem, far from it. The sound is raw, with few effects, although at times it is clear that the guitar overdubs are not entirely well mixed. It should be borne in mind that the band has only one guitarist and that the album was recorded at a time when it was an independent release. Steve Rowe’s bass is noticeable throughout the album, reminding us that he is a great bassist.
The cover and inner artwork is excellent, and the version of the album we have features many vintage photographs of the band in full swing, including memorabilia from concerts of that era. Obviously, the lyrics have Christian content, sometimes taken to the extreme, but this in no way detracts from what Lightforce has to offer musically.
This 2019 reissue, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the release of this gem, features six bonus tracks taken from a Lightforce concert in 1989 in Sydney, Australia. The recording obviously has its flaws, but it demonstrates the fury that Lightforce brought to their live performances. Of particular note is the ending with the famous, furious, and short “God Rulz!”, a song with which Mortification usually ended their concerts, which, as we can see, already existed at that time.
Lightforce’s albums, which were almost impossible to find in the past, have been re-released, providing a good opportunity to delve into the material of this band, which would later mutate into Mortification (a story that is not relevant here). This is another cult album that is worth listening to and, above all, treasuring, if possible in physical format, as it has been reissued not only on CD but also on vinyl, which, according to those in the know, is the best format for listening to authentic heavy metal.
It can be obtained through the Soundmass label at https://www.soundmass.com. In the meantime, here’s something to give you an idea of what Lightforce is all about, and this album in particular…
