The NWOBHM really was a huge influence for Metal, and no one can question such fact. But especially on Europe, the echoes of the rebirth of Metal on UK spread throughout the continent and caused the solidification of scenes that were mainly drowned into underground depths. Obviously that France experienced such thing, and acts as TRUST (where Nicko McBrain played drums before joining IRON MAIDEN, and the same band that ANTHRAX made a version for one of their songs, "Antisocial"), H. BOMB, SORTILÈGE, BLASPHEME and others left their mark on Metal's history, but the things improved a lot after internet became popular. And following a way similar to them is the trio LIVIN'EVIL, as stated by their first album, "Prayers and Torments".

This album has a curious history: the band was born on 1992, released two Demo Tapes back in the 90s ("The Tree of Evil", released on 1993, and "Illusory Dreams", the Demo Tape of 1995, and the songs of the album follows the same order of the demos), but the band ceased its activities on 1996. But it came back on 2002, playing the same strong and full of energy form of traditional Heavy Metal that was usual during the 80s, but without sounding 'moldy' or 'outdated'. No, their music still sounds fresh and alive, and with melodies and hooks that really deserve applauses of the fans, full of strategic hooks and with a good technical level. Yes, it's really excellent to hear to such songs today.

Jérôme Viel (the band's bassist) did the production, and the mixing was done by Jérôme Guibert, allowing the songs to regain their shine and to express their lives with an organic and well-cared sonority. And the artwork, a creation of Alcides Burn, show that the album pays tribute to the memory of the band's founding member Patrick Pairon that left us on 2018. And the guests are on the guitar solos: Simon Girard (of BEYOND CREATION) on "Another Preacher of Satan", Phil Tougas (of COSMIC ATROPHY, CRESTFALLEN, D.D.T., FIRST FRAGMENT, FUNEBRARUM, VOIDCEREMONY, and many others) on "Through the Night" and "Step into a Blaze of Fire", Roland Grapow (former HELLOWEEN, today on MASTERPLAN) on "Feelings", Timo Tolkki (former STRATOVARIUS, today in many acts and his own solo career) on "Indians Cry", Xavier Boscher (of CONTINUUM and NEBULEYES) on "Fire", "Dreadful Fate" and "Lyrical Agony", and Kosta Vreto (of WARDRUM and HORIZON'S END) on "Epitaph for a Singular Friend". And the session musicians: the Greek singer Tasos Lazaris (known for his works with FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE, ERASE, STEEL ARCTUS, HYPERFUEL, and others), and the Italian drummer Fabio Alessandrini (who is known for his works with ANNIHILATOR, BONFIRE, TURILLI/LIONE RHAPSODY, and many others).

As said above, five songs are from 1993's "The Tree of Evil" Demo Tape ("The Tree of Evil", "Another Preacher of Satan", "Behind the Light", "Through the Night", and "A Song for a Dead Man"), five are from 1995's "Illusory Dreams" ("Illusory Dreams", "Smile of the Knife", "Feelings", "Step into a Blaze of Fire", and "Indians Cry"), all of them great songs with their on value, sharing the same elements: a strong traditional Heavy Metal formula based on NWOBHM formats (excellent melodies, high levels of energy, accurate instrumental technique, hooking choruses), and it's great to hear as such songs didn't lose their musical strength after all these years (in reality, good music never loses). They can be said as a link between what traditional Heavy Metal was in the 80s with some aspects known from the 90s' forms of the genre.

 But on the unreleased songs "Fire" (excellent bass guitar parts influenced by Jazz Rock on the intro, and soon a melodic Heavy Metal song comes putting the house down, with a very good balance between melodies and aggressiveness), "Dreadful Fate" (it's incredible how this one sounds actual and strong, but keeping both feet on traditional Heavy Metal, with excellent guitars), "Lyrical Agony" (and excellent and solid drumming sustains the instrumental sheath, allowing the vocals to show its ample range of tunes), and "Epitaph for a Singular Friend" (another blow of energy tempered with Power Metal melodies and elements, again with amazing vocals) are inherited from rehearsals and live shows, here presented by the first time for the fans.

The band has an entire album ready to be released, so let's welcome back LIVIN'EVIL, hear and praise "Prayers and Torments", and salute the memory of Patrick.