Hailing from Ventura, California, Night Demon is a 3 piece heavy metal band keeping the spirit of traditional old-school heavy metal alive. The band was formed in 2011 by vocalist/bassist Jarvis Leatherby and guitarist Brent Woodward and released their first EP in 2013 and began performing live with drummer Dusty Squires. Night Demon debuted their live performance with NWOBH bands Raven and Diamond Head and went on to perform at a large number of festivals and a 31-date tour of Europe in 2014.
2015 saw Night Demon release a full-length album “Curse of the Damned” which was met with many positive reviews. In 2016 guitarist Brent Woodward left the band and was replaced by Armand John Anthony, who was also the studio engineer for Night Demon‘s releases to this point The band continued to tour the new album in 2016/2017 and in April of 2017 released “Darkness Remains”. The band was showered with accolades such as Metal Hammer’s best up & coming band and album of the year by the renowned magazine Deaf Forever.
Night Demon went from strength to strength and stayed busy touring with shows across the globe including 70,000 Tons of Metal. In 2020 (in the midst of the covid pandemic) they set about releasing five 7-inch singles which sold out immediately. These songs all feature on a compilation album released in 2022, and Night Demon once again took to the road.
This brings us to “Outsider” which is due for release on March 17th, 2023. This full-length studio album promises to give Night Demon fans the traditional old-school sound that has consistently been delivered by Night Demon in recent years with just a taste of some interesting and unexpected additions to their style.
The album begins with “Prelude” introducing the album with some tasty clean bass and gradually becomes more epic as it progresses, it builds the anticipation of the album as each instrument kicks into gear. The title track “Outsider” follows straight on from this. This track was a surprise, it had the elements of their traditional metal sound, but some interesting drops in pace and the guitar on this one really is top-level.
“Obsidian” has a fun riff, it’s upbeat and bouncy, yet heavy as hell – the vocals feel more thrash than melodic with a chorus chant that is impossible to ignore. Again the solo is eloquent. In contrast “Beyond the Grave” is one of the slower tracks on the album, it’s a good insight into a band that has always had a tried and true formula but is expanding into other influences. The track is epic, has all the feels and the vocals are heartfelt. Being a slower song certainly doesn’t take away the heaviness of the music, definitely a track that needs every aspect to be absorbed.
“Escape from Beyond” launches with an epic drum roll intro into a heavy chunky riff, with classy lead breaks from Anthony, the vocals in this track give me a Twisted Tower Dire feel.
Overall this is an album that delivers all the traditional influences you expect but is definitely more refined and elevated. Special mention goes to “The Wrath”, with soaring vocals, frantic riffs, heavy driving bass and drums. Definitely my favourite!
“Outsider” is an album for NWOBHM & NWOTHM fans, with a perfect combination of both. Highly recommend this for anyone who loves old-school metal.
Night Demon: Facebook
Release Year: 2023
Label: Century Media Records
Category: Album
Country: USA
Reviewed by ForsakenMisery
