These days, Demon is probably the least well-known of the NWOBHM bands still active. Born in 1976, the British combo released his first album in 1981. This famous “Night Of The Demon”, with its cover featuring a seemingly carnal cross revealing human entrails, and its hit eponymous track, propelled the English band to the top. Unfortunately, the wave chose to send them crashing onto the reefs of obscurity, with the blame possibly falling on a third opus deemed too progressive. In those days, the acceptance of mixing genres was not well established. But the dinosaur didn't let himself be fooled, and continued on his way. This leads them, more than four decades after their debut, to present us with their fourteenth offering, an aptly named “Invincible”.
Demon was first and foremost Dave Hill, and still is today, especially as he is now the only survivor aboard the ship. His melodic, dark, even mystical voice, easily recognizable, remains the hallmark of His Majesty's subjects. Like their frequent choice of themes and moods for their compositions, they often opt for the spooky world of the strange (the afterlife, UFOs, the devil...). The band has always demonstrated an appetite for musical diversity. “Invincible” is no exception to this principle, offering twelve tracks navigating between hard rock and melodic metal, with heavy and progressive overtones. The 80's sound signature is always present, “it's in their blood” as the opening track 'In My Blood' hammers home.
As we listen to this new production, a few acquaintances pay us a friendly visit: Black Sabbath on the riffs of the oriental and progressive 'Hole In The Sky', Magnum on 'Break The Spell', W.A.S.P. with the heavy 'Ghost From The Past' and Ghost/Uriah Heep on 'Rise Up'. The presence of melodic markers is not limited to the radiofriendly 'In My Blood' and the power ballad 'Forever Seventeen'. Each track has its own addictive hook, including the heavy eponymous title track and the NWOBHM 'Breaking The Silence' and 'Beyond The Darkside', which sound as if they were taken from the Englishmen's first opus.
Glory may be fleeting, but class is eternal. Demon's elegant melodic hard/metal makes a successful comeback after seven years' silence. “Invincible” is a record to be placed between all ears, whether they've been roaring to the sounds of NWOBHM, or have never left their eardrums.