Everybody has his/her everlasting warriors, his/her pioneers of faith, memories or endless energy in this damn lovin' music. Apart from the mega idols of all time, certain bands/artists have the ability to push your inner feelings, passion or strength to such a level, creating a unique bond of eternal devotion and everlasting necessity for quality in art and talent. Demon is my case, a band I would need en extra webzine just to mention all I feel for because of this outfit. Contrariwise, I decided to stick to even less of the regular review formula. You don't need to (or simply can't) say much for a solemn part of your own musical identity, can ya?
Brief-as-hell bio hints: Formed in Stoke On Trent, Britain in the late 70's. Core duo was frontman Dave Hill and guitarist Mal Spooner. Released the Liar 7 single in 1980, then the legendary Night Of The Demon full-length debut in 1981, featuring one of the very first occult album covers. The Unexpected Guest (1982) brought the band to the highest - at that time - standards of Metal fame, featuring the monumental track Don't Break The Circle. Both albums flirt lyrically with mysticism and other related topics, the music still shaped as guitar-driven, melodic, ass-kicking Heavy Rock. A change of phase came in The Plague (1983), with a more AOR/pomp/symphonic Hard Rock vibe; ass-kicking again. Guitarist Mal Spooner died in 1984 of asthma problems, prior to the release of British Standard Approved (1985). Five more albums - released from 1985 to 1992 - feature a parallel direction, more electrified though with elements from the band's first two N.W.o.B.H.M. masterpieces. Silence 'till 2001, when the mediocre Spaced Out Monkey hit the stores, with a fully updated lineup surrounding Dave Hill. Immense performances at the Sweden Rock and Bang Your Head festivals put the band again back on the map. Now it's 2005...
Confession: First of all, Better The Devil You Know grabbed me by the balls due to Hill's voice. My feeling for this vocalist is... ehm... ahhh... I can't come up with the proper definition. His deep voice, his passionate expressiveness, his songwriting skill... You know what I mean or should I burn in hell?
The music: Spaced out Monkey is buried in the deep past now. Great hooks, first class melodies, an ample guitar work, a great rhythm section, no chatter, an obvious experience and passion for creation are the key points. In the vein of releases like - mainly - Taking The Word By Storm (1989) or Hold On To The Dream (1991), Better The Devil You Know presents the legacy of Demon shaped for today's requirements. An up to date production, capable of satisfying both the classic-minded 80's Metal fan and the polished newbie teenager, clears out that Demon are here to stay, not relaxing on the band's myth. The groove of the same titled opening track, the driving supremacy of Dead Of The Night, the power of Standing On The Edge, the harmony of Warriors (great vocal lines), the emotion of Live Again, the Metal/Rock vibe of Obsession and Taking On The World, the over-romantic aura of Change (Heart Of Our Time lives again...) are enough reasons to clear out any fear for Demon's expertise. I see I nearly mentioned the whole album.
Demon celebrate a 25-year career with an album that stands proud, really proud! I found myself traveling back in time while listening to this CD. Still, it was not only 'Back'. Demon is fresh as hell, ready to roll and - how weird - you don't have to run to their back catalogue if you're not aware of their history. Better The Devil You Know can be easily purchased as it is, and that's a great plus for this legendary band. Of course, if you've been a Demon supporter all these years, things are quite simple: Better the Demon you Know!
- Album Highlights: Tears in my eyes?!?!