Night Demon-Curse Of The Damned

Century Media Records
2015

"Curse Of the Damned" is the long-awaited debut album from Ventura, California's Night Demon. Following in the footsteps of the phenomenal Night Demon this recently-released full-length LP is also the soundtrack to the non-motion-picture graphic novel "Blood Sacrifice". At least that is what the booklet reports. "Soundtrack" or not this 47-minute plus CD (which I am listening to as we speak with the aptly-title anthem "Heavy Metal Heat" just killing it!) is an absolute stone cold-sensation from killer opener "Screams In The Night" (a rocket-fueled speed metal number that beautifully rips your head off!) through album closer (and "bonus track") "Road Racin'". Everything that there was to love about the group's independently-released 2012 EP "Night Demon" has been modified and amplified here on this 12-track CD with the wide-open range of influences sure to appeal to anyone and everyone claiming to be a heavy metal maniac! On Night Demon's first album (available on CD as well as LP friends!) lead vocalist/bassist Jarvis Leatherby channels a young Sean Harris (Diamond Head) while his bandmates (guitarist Brent Woodward and drummer Dustin Squires) help navigate "Curse Of The Damned" through wave after wave of N.W.O.B.H.M-inspired & influenced numbers with the likes of Iron Maiden, Saxon and Judas Priest resting comfortably next to bands such as Angel Witch, Satan, Jaguar, U.F.O., (early) Demon, Grim Reaper and the aforementioned Diamond Head! That said, it's not just the N.W.O.B.H.M. movement that gives this album such a bright glow as influences such as Dokken, Motörhead, Kiss, Riot, Black Sabbath, Metallica and even Budgie squirm their way into the mix making "Curse Of the Damned" a must-own! Naming just one or two fave numbers would be a near impossible task when it comes to a release like this one as there is really no dub to be had and whether we are talking about the title track (80's metal anyone?) or a number like "Save Me Now" (more magical 80's metal that features sort of spooky guest keyboards from one Owen Bucey) you simply can't go wrong! Heavy rock and roller "Satan" actually reminds me of the band Satan only with some (again early) Demon tossed in for good measure while "Full Speed Ahead" plays like a time-honored/"We're your biggest fans guys and we're not afraid to show it!" tribute to N.W.O.B.H.M. heroes Diamond Head! Yes, "Full Speed Ahead" does dip into the likes of Maiden and Priest, but it's Diamond Head all the same (as if there is anything wrong with that!). Black Sabbath is somewhat mirrored in the epic metal track "The Howling Man" and on "Run For Your Life" (a sweet as can be speed-rocker with fantastic gang vocals from Blade Killer members Jonathan Rubio and Carlos Gutierrez!) we're treated to some faint hints of what could just be "Kill Em All" days Metallica! And yet despite all of these influences a band like Night Demon sounds remarkably like no one other than Night Demon. All of these different influences simply blend together like the perfect after-dinner cocktail with the sweet taste of  "Mastermind", "Killer" and "Heavy Metal Heart" not once disguising the higher-than-average alcohol content of this "Drink it up lads as if there is no tomorrow!" intoxicating party-pleasure! There are no after-affects with this mix though! I mean other than the fact that you might find some of these songs stuck in your head even days later! Theirs is the sound of sincere, honest-to-goodness true/traditional heavy metal and just like 1999-era Lex Luger it is "The Total Package"! Catchy, hook-heavy and highly enjoyable/addictive heavy metal like this has few equals and just going by a memorable number like "Run For Your Life" this debut album has hit release written all over it! Anytime you come to the party this prepared you know that there is nowhere to go but up so predicting big things for the trio Night Demon isn't rocket science! No bones about it these guys will be huge soon enough so now is the best time to join in on the festivities! You can find these guys online at their Facebook page here
or at their official site here. As far as picking up a copy of "Curse Of the Damned" for yourself goes either check out their webpage or head to places like Amazon or Ebay. Rightly so this album is everywhere
so there is no good or justifiable reason why you shouldn't own a copy of this A+ masterpiece by weeks end!

Iron Spell-Heavy Metal Witchcraft

Dying Victims Productions
2014

Another true heavy metal band from Santiago? Didn't I just cover the same thing in Lucifer's Hammer not that long ago? Not that there is anything wrong with adding more fuel to the ever-burning fire that is heavy metal! If anything it shows that we might just be looking at one of the newest hotbeds for the scene. And judging by the sheer numbers of classic and traditional heavy metal bands that come from Chile's capital city this trend shows no sign of letting up (at least anytime soon). Not that we would want it to let up or anything right? But, I'm getting ahead of myself which is something I'm far too prone to do (especially this early in the morning when my second cup of coffee hasn't quite kicked in and I'm not firing on all cylinders!) so let's make a (illegal of course!) u-turn and start at the beginning. Technically-speaking "Heavy Metal Witchcraft", which is Iron Spell's first (and so far only) release, is a demo from 2013. As the band first came about in 2013 it sure seems as if they are moving rather fast when talking about going from concept to delivery! Drawing their influences from more then a few of the greats (Iron Maiden, King Diamond, Exciter, Alice Cooper, Saxon, Judas Priest, Running Wild, W.A.S.P., Black Sabbath, Mötley Crüe, Doro & Warlock, Manowar, Thin Lizzy, Grave Digger, Tank, Diamond Head, KISS, Venom, Dio and Accept are all listed on the group's Facebook page!) and using pseudonyms in place of their real names* the band easily makes the case that "Heavy Metal Witchcraft" sound just be the first of many steps as this group matches onward and upward towards true heavy metal glory! For fans of tried and true heavy metal there is much to love about "Heavy Metal Witchcraft" from the Iron Maiden meets Merciful Fate-vibe of "Revelations" to the epic metal that lies at the heart of "Evil Gypsy" (a track that is nearly twelve minutes long!). Along with the above-mentioned reference points (specifically Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Manowar, Black Sabbath and King Diamond) one can pick up on the sound of group's like Armored Saint, Ritual, Legend, Angel Witch, Cloven Hoof, Cutty Sark, Satan and Jaguar. Whether that is all intentional or not is really a moot point as everything from the music (which, besides combining the better parts of classic and traditional/N.W.O.B.H.M.-infused heavy metal ends up featuring great speed metal solos to boot from the pair of Raven and Fire Jack!) to the album's production (somewhat raw it gives "Heavy Metal Witchcraft" a wicked eighties feel!) screams "HEAVY METAL!" and this demo turned (limited edition) cassette-tape perfectly wets the appetite for a forthcoming full-length release. Much like Lucifer's Hammer self-titled EP, which was also recently released on cassette tape by Shadow Kingdom Records, this demo comes with my highest recommendation! You can hear the whole release for yourself right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn-Tm9guMus while (should you so desire) you can pick up a cassette copy of this straight-ahead heavy metal rocker right here: http://www.dying-victims.de/shop/de/

*For example we have vocalist Merciless K.co, bassist Rocko Van Roman and drummer FC Steelhammer!

Storm Warning-Storm Warning (Demo)

Swords & Chains Records
2013

My friend Strappado posted information on Storm Warning's debut demo on his site: http://strappadometalblog.blogspot.com/  and, true to his word, this demo features true heavy metal in the vein of Gotham City, Saxon and Midnight Priest! There's some of the other usual hallmarks of a band like this (Iron Maiden and Judas Priest love) and, what I believe to be (if my ears aren't playing tricks on me), Grim Reaper, Witch Cross, Angel Witch and Demon traits as well! All around, as Strappado foretold, this is TRUE METAL boys and girls. It appears that the band released this demo on CD-R initially (in 2012 no less!) before choosing to issue a limited-edition cassette on Sword & Chains Records. Why not? Considering how much this sounds like a golden oldie from the days of old (or if you will back when cassettes ruled the earth) it makes sense to unleash this on the public in plastic form! Limited to a mere 100 yellow copies, and now at least one less cassette as I bought my copy yesterday I believe, it features 2 live bonus tracks that weren't available when the band original released the CD-R version of the demo. The 2 live cuts are, beautifully, more raw and showcase a band that excels in a live setting. Unfortunately that live setting is most likely on the other side of the pound as this old-school heavy metal act hails from Germany. With Johnny Topside on leads vocals the band is rounded out by  guitarists Andy N. and Tim H., bassist Jacky J. and drummer Freddi G. Why it's only Johnny, and his wonderfully raw & real vocals, that is the only one allowed to give their full last name I'm not quite sure, but it's all good and this 5-piece band has a nice 5-track demo on their hands here. You can find out more at Swords & Chains Records or Heavy Merch!. Also, be sure to follow Swords & Chains at their Facebook for updates http://www.facebook.com/swordsandchainsrecords on future releases.Want to listen before you buy this fun little demo of throw-back, eighties-inspired heavy metal? Of course you do! Then click on that link below my friends! And as always live loud and proud my friends!


http://swordsandchains.bandcamp.com/album/storm-warning