Review by Andy Law
After 30 years in the
business and having influenced everyone from Metallica to Hammerfall,
frontman Dave Hill has more than a few Demon stories to tell. Demon have
been busy chaps recently; whether tearing it up at festivals in Germany
(Bang Yer Head) or, writing a theme tune for Sweden Rock (Fill Your
Head With Rock), besides releasing new album Unbroken, the quintet have
also experienced several pivotal line up changes.
Talented ex
guitarist Ray Walmsley has returned on bass to replace Andy Dale;
elsewhere, shredmeister general (guitarist) backing vocalist Paul Hume
has stepped in on the other guitar alongside the flamboyant Dave
Cotterill, and its an inspired move. Clear the floor - the areas finest
twin guitar partnership have just landed...
Besides his gifted
musical talents, (Paul Hume) has has also produced Demon's new album at
Summerbank Studios, Tunstall, giving it the classic Demon sound with
a more modern edge. Finally, keyboardist Karl Waye has replaced Paul
Farrington. Opening with Wonderland and ripping through heavyweight
after heavyweight, Leek's finest are clearly in unstoppable mood. The
Plague burns with a sinster, Sabbath-esque fire before breaking out into
Bat Out Of Hell esque intro solos and Led Zep shades; Life On The Wire
offers a shining chorus hook with mindblowing guitarwork; and further
sonic treats include Blackheath, Sign Of A Madman, Under The Spell and
Remembrance Day.
In terms of the newer material, there's Better The
Devil You Know album standout Standing On The Edge Of The World. From
latus opus Unbroken, we get the anthemic Fill Your Head With Rock; I
Still Believe meanwhile, brims with passion ('Its my religion, its my
life, I still believe, I still believe, that rock will rule the
world...'), a Man-o-war style rock ballad if ever there was one!
Finishing
the set with Night Of The Demon and Don't Break The Circle, its a jaw
dropping close. Fantastic musicianship - from head thudding drums
(forming a solid partnership with Ray Walmsley's bass) dazzling twin
guitar harmonies and tear it up solos make for a stirring display. Dave
Hill inspires on many fronts; showing off great melodies, superb
songwriting and plenty of onstage charisma. Although his vocals aren't
as prominent as they used to be, he proves beyond all doubt that high
range is not the be all and end all where good songwriting is concerned.
The band also demonstrate a terrific awareness of the need for strong
backing vocals, often turning up three part harmonies or octaves. In
plain English, jolly good musicianship - and the overloaded Green Star
couldn't get enough. So let's cut to the chase. Slash, Motorhead and
yes, Demon - a cut above.
