"TORCHLIGHT PARADE" is a rock band from St. Louis that, believe it or not, all started in a morgue! How freaking cool is that? Matt Engel, who is the lead singer, at the time was an embalmer and his brother Doug, who is the lead guitarist, was a hearse driver. That is the coolest thing ever in my opinion! Rock and death? I mean heck yes, I know these guys are going to be cool and theatrical. I dove right into "Children of the Night" which is not only the name of the album, but also the first song on said album. "Children of the Night"  is an almost 2 minute instrumental of the absolute coolest sound ever. This would be a perfect background song to have playing while walking through a haunted house. I love how Gothic and creepy it sounds; I could just see the band being wheeled out to stage in caskets for a show opener and then everyone sitting up to start the next song "Howling Wolf". While the guitar seemed to go for a bit, its a very bouncy song and makes you want to move. Even my 2 year old son immediately started dancing and headbanging than proceeded to howl as soon as he heard the howling. Doug, my man, that guitar, you are one talented guy! I'm typically more of an ok let's get this over with type of girl when it comes to guitars, but you I was absolutely loving that energy! Matt, your vocals took me straight back to my childhood when I first started listening to rock, definitely had an ACDC or Kiss vibe.

"Shadow Run" is another almost 2 minute long instrumental, which is absolutely amazing. Their instrumentals are making me think of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which is a huge compliment by the way. "TORCHLIGHT PARADE" is the Halloween version of TSO, and I am 100% here for it! "Vampire Night" again, Doug on that guitar came out hitting heavy and sounded amazing. Although, I must say I am wanting to hear some softer vocals from Matt. I am not saying its bad by any means, but the 80s hair metal sound is good for so long before I want to hear a more modern sound. Once I got to "I Call Her Mausoleum" it was an ask and you shall receive moment. It was so nice to slow it down a bit, it still definitely has that theatrical sound, but it was softer and less of an almost screeching sound that his screams have started to sound like. All in all, "Children of the Night"  was a pretty good album. I wouldn't say it was anything spectacular, accept for Doug on the guitars. That man is absolutely talented and I must say if they did more modern metal or metal-core they would absolutely be on my rotation of songs. As it stands I will most definitely be listening to some of the songs, just maybe not as much as I was hoping to. I would love to see "TORCHLIGHT PARADE" take some pointers from theatrical bands like Avatar and Ice Nine Kills and watch to see where they go from there. I feel like they could most definitely go far with a little help!