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DEMON SPELL
Evil Nights EP

Dying Victims Productions (2024)
Rating: 7.5/10

Back in the mid-80s, releases of this ilk were a two-a-penny, often turning up in the reviews section of Metal Forces magazine and, if you were lucky, in the import racks of any decent record shop. Now of course such outings are more readily available and accessible, more so because countless bands are feverishly attempting the very musty old school style.

Demon Spell, a foursome from Italy, is the sort of band you just want to be good. They have the look, the cover artwork and the sound, but hey, so have so many bands, although like the rare few, Demon Spell succeeds with their occult metal branding.

Musically, it’s never far away from a blend of Mercyful Fate, the mid-80s Swedish scene, and a rainy British vibe. Maybe I hear a broad mix of Halloween, Witchfynde and Witchcross – y’know, those theatrical bands that sizzle like October fires. It’s never doom metal but the air is akin to spending a night in a pitch black crypt, and that’s why Evil Nights works. The vocals are hellish yelps and the percussion is a basement hiss, which suggests that any preparation for this black magic tomfoolery was minimal.

There are four tracks here, all of which boast that stuffy atmosphere which would have been unintentional back in the 80s, but nowadays bands strive to have their releases sound as if they were recorded in a cellar. ‘Demon Spell’ wafts like grey wisps of black candle smoke, swirling like a mass of King Diamond, Samhain and Megadeth circa Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (1986). One cannot overlook the sense of dread the band instils without the technicality or Gothic textures of King Diamond.

Things are kept simple as ‘Black Wings’ strides with a spooky confidence on the back of nifty galloping guitars. The same can be said for ‘Dark Deceiver (Woman Of The Black Oath)’, although the groove here is like some low budget greasy biker metal. The title track rounds off proceedings and is another haunted house spooktacular which again whiffs of King Diamond but with drippings of cheese. This is good stuff while it lasts, and long after it’s bit the dust the stench of leather and trace of bat droppings remain.

Neil Arnold

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