Share the post "Album review: NIGHT DEMON – Darkness Remains"
Steamhammer/SPV [Release date 21.04.17]
I thought about writing this review without referencing either of the terms ‘retro metal’ or ‘NWOBHM’. However, after giving this an honest spin through a couple of times, that proved impossible. So closely do Night Demon follow the template of those classic early 80’s metal heroes, most notably Iron Maiden, that there really is no option but to review this affair as a tribute.
In that sense, the band has played a blinder. Speeding riffs, bass-heavy chugging, intricate, melodic layered guitar lines, tempo switches and carbon-copy double bass drum tracking. Not to mention the retro (there it is) production. One could be forgiven for thinking it is 1982 all over again.
The lyrical content echoes Maiden’s early work, too: encounters with strangers, the dark, hallowed ground… there’s even a track called ‘Maiden Hell’ which manages to create a whole lyric entirely out of Maiden song titles. A pretty impressive feat that shows the band have a sense of humour. At least I think it’s meant as a joke.
There’s not much wrong with the playing. This tanned Californian threesome (even though every fibre of your instinct says working class five-piece) play well. Armand John Anthony cooks up a technical (if dubbed and layered up) masterclass on guitar; Dusty Squires simply is Nicko McBrain on drums; and Jarvis Leatherby fires up the rumbling, running bass. Leatherby doubles up on vocals, and this is a bit of a let down. He seems to be stuck in an uninspired, laboured, mid-range gurgle.
So much for the style. What about the substance? In truth, it’s not great.
Much of the material is competent or safe at best, plundering a formula – that they did not invent – for all its worth. That’s where the ideas end. Cloning a sound is where Night Demon’s creativity runs out. It hasn’t extended to anything like depth or quality of material, no matter how professionally it is played.
There are one or two moments that rise above average, like ‘Black Widow’, and ‘Life On the Run’ but otherwise this is a mediocre offering. Including Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ and the Sabs’ ‘Turn Up The Night’ as bonus material merely highlights the paucity of their own good songs.
It’s hard to know who Night Demon are appealing to here. I get the Iron Maiden homage. We all owe them a huge debt, no question. But for me, without better material, this lot will struggle to ditch the novelty badge. ***
Review by Dave Atkinson
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account
Popular (last 10 days)
Share the post "Album review: NIGHT DEMON – Darkness Remains"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
