E.P Review: Night Demon- Empires Fall

Anyone who has followed my blog for the past six years knows how big of a Night Demon fan I am. I have been championing these guys since I heard their self titled e.p back in 2014 and especially once their first release "Curse Of The Damned" came out the following year. After quite a few years of touring on their second album "Darkness Remains" and the creation of the stellar live album "Live Darkness", we finally get some new music from the boys. 

Right away, I am already floored by the main single here with stellar production once again. The song is typically high energy, galloping riffs and catchy lyrics. Jarvis' voice right away feels like it has a bit more gruff to it( all that touring I would figure) which I like. The slow mid section works very well especially on a first listen as it kicks literally right into the solo and plays really well on the element of surprise. Having Lars and Matt from Rancid and James from Holy Grail doing gang vocals is a super cool inclusion as well and adds more weight to a straight forward yet stellar and fun track.

The B side is equally awesome as it is a cover of the song "Fast Bikes" by the super obscure band Le Griffe. Basically, pure NWOBHM here done right with some nice double tracked vocals and solo breaks.

Overall, Night Demon have risen once again with a taste of what is to come. While yes, these guys are doing the straight forward melodic speed metal they have been doing for almost a decade, the fact is that they are still putting tons of heart into making catchy massive songs that hopefully continues for a long long time!

E.P Review: Road Rash- S/T

Road Rash are a Canadian speed metal band that have definitely made a name for themselves the past few years with an energetic sound and a great image. There first album "Thunder In Paradise" was a fun time, a pure party metal album to break your neck to. Now with their self titled e.p coming this year, we get a taste what these crazy Canadians are up to next. 

Opening with the punk laced "666 MPH" we see Road Rash come storming back with a simple yet great tune. Hammer's signature Tank like snarl is in full sleazy form here as well. Track two is "Street Guerreiros" opening with an intro that pretty much sums this band up. Chaotic and fun as hell. This song goes straight for the jugular as well and is a fun tune that ends almost as quickly as it begins.

While this E.P is nothing mind blowing, it is a fun time that is also a good way for anyone to get into Road Rash. This is also a smart way for the band to keep their momentum going while we wait for their next full length onslaught. Overall, this is definitely a fun slice of sleazy speed metal!

3/5

Album Review: Witchtower- Witches' Domain

I first became familiar with Spain's Witchtower through their previous album "Hammer of Witches" which was full on raw NWOBHM worship that you could swear was a lost album from days gone by. With their long awaited and much MUCH anticipated follow up, Witchtower show that they are just as killer as the first time they hit my ears. I mean are you surprised?

Opening with the blistering "A Revelation/The Theosophist" we see Witchtower are back in full form. This song definitely shows off the bands capabilities of making catchy galloping melodic metal still feel fresh. The solo's are full of life with the vocals feeling very much like Paul Dianno in his hey day(which is one of my favorite things about these guys). The production gets more of a metal feel especially in the drums more than previously. Up next is "Over The Top" which has some crisp vintage riffs and a nice catchy call out chorus. I have to also commemorate the bass playing too its super solid and audible throughout the whole album which is always a plus for me. "Night Of The Witch" has that classic gallop to it and feels quite a bit like a more fleshed out version of one of their previous songs "Fast Broomsticks" which retreads some familiar sounds but still a fun tune. The dark neck jerking "Zugarramurdi(Sorginak!)" keeps the energy high with some nice almost prog like interludes in the mid section it adds some nice extra musicianship. We see a more almost doom like intro with "Mrs. Artisson" which gives me some 80's Trouble vibes which quickly switches into fist pumping melodic 80s speed metal. This album definitely has more twists and turns throughout than the previous releases from the band with a darker atmosphere as well. "Love Potion" has some early Tygers and Riot vibes with a little more of a hard rock groove throughout the verse riffs. "Look For The Truth" carries more of that dark vibe with some nice minor riffs thrown in to the madness as well. Continuing this endless metal journey we have the insanely catchy "The World Is Upside Down" which is one of the more simple songs on the album but its also probably my favorite as it got stuck in my head the first time I heard it and has a lot of riffs you can sing to. The title track has some psychedelic elements thrown in as well with some crushing riffs to balance it out. This is definitely the most ambitious song on the album with some almost rush like passages spread throughout which I really like. It kind of catches you off guard as it is one of those songs you can pick something new out every time. The band has also released a bonus track entitled "The Chosen" which is definitely a more mid paced hard rocker and while it is a good song, I can see why it is a bonus track among the other amazing cuts presented here.

Overall, Witchtower have created a magnificent follow up with this album. While most of the songs do retread the sound this band has established, they still have the chops to make it as exciting as it was before. With a heavier production, more prog elements injected and the overall fun hooks this album has, its definitely is one of the best pure Heavy Metal albums to come out this year. 

8/10

Album Review: Solicitor- Spectral Devastation

Oh man have I been waiting to listen to this album. To put this in perspective, I was a huge fan of lead vocalist Amy Lee Carlson's previous band Substratum, who had some of the best modern metal anthems from a lot of new groups out of the last decade. However, with that band going south, Solicitor was born out of the ashes with a fierce demo that had me craving more. While Substratum had more hard rock and almost prog elements to some songs, Solicitor is pure speed metal with influences like Exciter, early Slayer and pretty much anything from the early to mid 1980's and it makes for a glorious time. This album in short  manages to expand on that demo and even more. 

The album starts of extremely strong with "Blood Revelations" absolutely ripping you apart with blistering leads and riffs at breakneck speed. The production is raw as hell but for this it works very well. Carlson's vocals are absolutely full of lethality with her unique high register and pure take no prisoners approach. Up next is "Betrayal" with a lot of melody in the vocals and some of my favorite riffing on the album. Track three, "The Red Queen" has a good build into some awesome melodic double guitar attack. This is definitely one of the most ambitious songs on the album with a bit of an early power metal feel that is built to be played live. This song especially shows the chops Solicitor has and they are firing on all cylinders. Up next is "Leather Streets" which has some strong NWOBHM influences with a heavy early Dianno era Maiden feel in the guitars. "Night Vision" opens with some nice extended acoustics going into full bore speed metal glory with again stellar songwriting. "Terminal Force" has a nice groove to it that continues the really good balance the band has with pure dirty speed and melodic hooks throughout. "Spectres of War" is another great tune that keeps things pretty straight forward but with the same energy the album has presented thus far. Finally, we end the album with "Grip of the Fist" fitting as much brutality in as possible with some nice blast beat rhythms bordering on early thrash, this is easily the heaviest tune on the album and a perfect bang to go out on.

For Solicitors debut, I expected nothing less than sure excellence. This album is Metal for metals sake pretty much and hits you from the first second and really never lets up. The songwriting abilities here are top notch as well. While the sound of the band may seem like familiar territory, they make it their own with a lot of nice twists especially in the middle of the album. The production also hits the mark with the raw feel but multi layered vocals and fluid instrumentation. You can tell a lot of care went into the album sonically. This is also pure riff heaven with a lot of shining examples. For sure Solicitor have come out swinging with another early contender for album of the year!

9/10

Album review: Haunt- Mind Freeze

Haunt are one of the more consistent Heavy Metal acts to appear in the late 2010's. With only a few years under their belt we already have their third full length release entitled "Mind Freeze". Brainchild of front man/guitarist Trevor Williams Church, Haunt combine a lot of late 70's and early 80's traditional Heavy Metal and craft it very well. However, with their third album this may be their best. 

Opening with "Light The Beacon", the bands sound has evolved ever so slightly and also like Midnight benefit from a beefier production. While still retaining the vintage style they play, they sound bigger and badder, which helps the songs carry across even more. The use of synthesizers across the album really works as well especially in songs like "Saviors of Man" and "Have No Fear" where they are used extensively. However, these new sounds do not detract from what Haunt represents but enhances the melody in their songs and creates a more strong and original sound for them. The energy on this album is definitely an upgrade with a lot faster tempos than usual with songs like the epic "Hearts On Fire" and "Divide and Conquer". Really every song has it's own identity and plenty of great riffs to show off as well. Church's vocals which have always given off an Angel Witch vibe to me are as strong as ever especially with the title track becoming one of my favorite Haunt tunes. It features an extremely catchy chorus and lyrics that can be quite close to home. "On The Stage" is another absolute barnstormer and is one of the most powerful songs on the album. It definitely is one of those songs that's made for a live setting. Finally, the album concludes with "Voyager" with some very nice galloping melodies and really ends the album on a high note.

Haunt really knocked it out of the park with this album. This is a modern day metal album done right with a lot of heart put into each track. The momentum this band has seemingly keeps going with every release and honestly I hope they continue to build on this sound as they have really hit a sweet spot with this record. Check it out and you'll definitely see why Haunt should be in your collection!

8/10