The Lunar Effect – Fortune’s Always Hiding

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · Published November 19, 2025 · Updated November 19, 2025

The Lunar Effect is a hard rock band from London, England. Formed in 2016, the band consists of Jon Jefford on guitar, Daniel Jefford on drums, Brett Halsey on bass, and Josh Neuwford on vocals. They have released 2017’s Strange Lands EP, 2019’s Calm Before The Calm, 2024’s Sounds Of Green & Blue, and their latest, 2025’s Fortune’s Always Hiding. Fortune’s Always Hiding was released on October 24th on Svart Records. It contains eleven tracks and is around forty four minutes long.

My introduction into The Lunar Effect was with last year’s excellent Sounds Of Green & Blue (review here). The band derives proto-metal, hard rock, and blues into their sound with such confidence and certitude. “Feed The Hand” starts the album off with a hard rocking number. Utilizing powerful riffs, melodies, and soaring vocals, The Lunar Effect are back with another stunning record. “Watchful Eye” alludes a classic rock sound with big and heavy riffs, segments of clean guitars, and dynamic and emotive vocals. Their sound carries a strong riff rocking groove with elements of melodic harmony that is soothing and refreshing.

The third track, “Five And Two” is a riff-tastic rocker with tons of swing and groove. The metal guitar crunch is appropriate and effective. The vocals are spot on as always and carry the intensity of Gillan and Plant. The fourth track “My Blue Veins”, is a slower but heavy blues eruption. It’s a fantastic song! The Lunar Effect can deliver some of the finest softer and piano enhanced music in spades. Songs like “Stay With Me”, “I Disappear”, “A New Moon Rises”, and the bonus track, “Tomorrow Comes Too Soon”, are all augmented with keys. The band can produce softer tones with a penchant for excellence. My favorite application is when they combine both heavy and light approaches together. Songs like “Settle Down” and the alt rocking groove of “Scotoma” are great tracks that are placed in between the more subdued ones.

Another strong and dynamic song is “Nailed To The Sky”. The band sounds terrific and mixes up their tones quite nicely. The mellow sounds are nestled between the riff crunching rhythms creating the perfect combination of both. I am impressed with the quality of material that The Lunar Effect are creating. Fortune’s Always Hiding is another stellar release that complements 2024’s Sounds Of Green & Blue perfectly. They pull off the Zeppelin-esc style better than most and I can definitely see this album on the top of many year end lists.