Album Review: Demonhead - Black Devil Lies
Reviewed by John Caffrey
Coming from Melbourne Australia in 2007, reading their facebook page information it seems that they have a rocky path with serious illness and line up changes, and have changed their style over the years from a more punk influence to a more thrash metal sound. Demonhead are a band with a classic sound including influences of early Metallica, Iron Maiden and Judas Priest but also have a more modern anthemic sound of Volbeat and Bobaflex. Blending the best bits of the past to bring a more rounded and polished sound of classic metal for the modern age.
The first track on the album opens with against the grain an electric guitar played acoustically reminiscent of Metallica's 'Master of Puppets' era, and builds to a thrashy almost NWOBHM sound, reminiscent of an Iron Maiden album track from 'Piece of Mind'. This sound is repeated throughout the album on tracks like 'Double Cross The Dead' and 'Children of the Night'.
Tracks 'Betrayal Avenged', 'The Ritual' and 'Blood Debt' have a more of an eighties era Wasp feel with driving guitars and great hooks, but with a more polished slick production and fuller sound. Other tracks on the album give a nod to a more punk influenced style 'Zombocalypse' has an Anthrax influenced chunky guitar and driving drums sounding like 'Among the Living' era. Whilst 'Face Your Demons' has great driving groove, big drums and vocals sounds a bit like a lost Disturbed track.
Overall a really enjoyable album, although they wear their influences on their sleeve they do it with a genuine love of the bands they listen to. This album is one to listen to whilst driving, its big sound, great hooks and anthems will have you singing along all the way down the motorway.
'Black Devil Lies' is released via Fastball Music on April 3rd!
