NIGHT DEMON
Darkness Remains
Steamhammer / SPV (2017)
Rating: 8/10
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One listen to Night Demon and you’d swear this band has been around since the early 80s, yet they formed a mere five years ago in 2012. Since that time they’ve landed direct support gigs to metal luminaries Raven and Diamond Head, and have released a self-titled EP (2012) and two full length records – 2015’s Curse Of The Damned and this latest release Darkness Remains.
Not bad for a three piece out of Ventura, California who attacked their career with a DIY vengeance, scoring touring runs across the United States, Europe and South America. Much of it was set up themselves, resting just long enough to record and hit the road again.
Night Demon’s style and sound is a throwback to a bygone era in rock when the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal era ruled the latter half of the 70s and early 80s, with Saxon, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and Angel Witch dominating the scene and influencing a future generation of bands later on. Metallica is a prime example, covering ‘The Prince’, ‘Am I Evil?’ and ‘Helpless’ by the aforementioned Diamond Head. And on Darkness Remains, Night Demon pay tribute to Iron Maiden, with track three ‘Maiden Hell’ praising the band and their storied career.
Here’s what I like about Night Demon – they get it. They understand this genre well; they’re well versed in the underlying mechanics and parameters involved, and that’s felt on this record from start to finish. When I listen to ‘Hallowed Ground’ or ‘Life On The Run’, I’m hearing the genuine article, not a tribute act jumping on a bandwagon and making a genre record with an Ed Repka cover because it’s the hip, metal thing to do. The songs on Darkness Remains are solid, well-crafted songs that kick ass and take names, earning them the right to stand next to the likes of Angel Witch or Saxon any day.
My only criticism lies with the title track ‘Darkness Remains’, the last original song on this record. Up till now the album moves at a high pace, with lots of energy and momentum, but slows down with this track which could’ve been better served having been placed somewhere near the middle of this record.
The last two bonus songs on the digital version of the album are covers of Black Sabbath’s ‘Turn Up The Night’ and Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’, which bring that energy level back up and close out the record in style. I’m not a big fan of covers as most bands usually miss the mark with them, but Night Demon pulls it off with ease.
If Night Demon stays true to their work ethos and keep the standard of their music high, as it is now, then greater success surely lies ahead of them. They’re doing everything right from the way they tour to the records they make, treading in the footsteps of their more famous and successful peers. If they stay on track, they too will soon be playing those same arenas and stadiums soon.
Theron Moore
