Night Demon has done a tremendous job of bringing back the traditional sound of classic Heavy Metal back to the masses. Sure there are plenty of other bands that perform various styles of classic NWOBHM but Night Demon does it best.
Outsider opens with soft synth and acoustics before going into the title track. Jarvis Leatherby’s vocals on this track (and along with the rest of the album) are strong here, the perfect guide throughout each song. Leatherby has really upped his game since 2017’s Darkness Remains.
‘Obsidian’ starts off with a fiery riff that instantly feels like Night Demon’s signature sound. The band can perfectly capture the early eighties metal sound and feel while still coming across fresh. The song changes tempo at the midpoint and ends with a powerful vocal performance. ‘Beyond the Grave’ slows things down a bit with an almost doomy feel in parts.
‘Escape from Beyond’ brings back the heat with pulsating bass, killer riffs, and some incredible drum work. This track is Night Demon at the top of their game. It’s easy to forget sometimes but this band is only a three-piece that is generating this sound. ‘The Wrath’ starts off slow but midway through the song it develops into a mighty thrasher.
A bonus track ‘The Last Day’ is available on some versions of the release. It’s a fiery thrasher that was originally released as part of the Decibel Flexi Series. If your version doesn’t include this song, it is definitely worth your time to seek it out.
With plenty of love for the early eighties metal sound, while not coming off as nostalgic, Night Demon perfectly balances traditional sounds with a modern flair. Listening to Night Demon is like listening to all of the reasons you first loved Heavy Metal in the first place.
Buy the album here:
8 / 10
ANDREW RISCH