They may be an acquired taste, but there is no denying that in the current plethora of bands playing traditional Heavy Metal, Ventura’s Night Demon stand in the upper levels. Currently supporting the mighty Cirith Ungol across Europe on their farewell tour, the band formed by Ungol bassist Jarvis Leatherby are an electrifying watch.
Night Demon – Darkness Remains – Deluxe & Expanded (Steamhammer / SPV)
Release Date: 4 October 2024
Words: Paul Hutchings
With early releases out of print, it is timely that SPV/Steamhammer have taken the decision to reissue the band’s first two albums, Curse Of The Damned, and the one we have here, Darkness Remains, which was initially released seven years ago in 2017. Featuring Leatherby, guitarist Armand John Anthony and drummer Dusty Squires, Darkness Remains is a pleasing 45-minutes of fist-pumping Metal that warms the heart.
Drenched in the NWOBHM sounds of the early 1980s, there is also something very contemporary about the album. The musicianship is top-class, with Anthony’s lead work of note. Leatherby’s vocals are rich, clean, and unforced, whilst Squires, the anchor of the band for a decade until his departure in 2023, brings the hammer down with aplomb.
If you have ever seen Night Demon live, you will know that they do not specialise in lengthy tracks, favouring the short, sharp aural assault. This is typified on Darkness Remains, with the power and speed of Maiden Hell, the muscular opening Welcome To The Night, and Dawn Rider all fine examples of their potency. In fact, only three of the songs pass the four-minute mark here, with the title track, which closes the main album the necessary epic at 5:29.
Whilst speed is their trademark, Nigh Demon can also bring the slower, majestic tracks. Stranger In The Room slows the pace, a more classic Metal song, and features some more excellent lead work. Instrumental Flight Of The Manticore channels some Judas Priest circa Painkiller and is one of several highly impressive tracks that get the head shaking.
With Anthony having done a solid remastering job, which gives it a crisp yet gritty sound, the addition of a couple of bonus tracks makes this an attractive purchase.
Taking on any Sabbath song puts you open to criticism, and one with Ronnie James Dio singing possibly even more so, but Turn Up The Night from Mob Rules is treated with respect, and the band delivers it well. That leaves the cover of We Will Rock You, and again, a legendary vocalist and band. Giving it the heaviness the original featured, it is another solid version which gets the thumbs up.
Night Demon remain an underrated band in many respects, although they are finally making headway following 2023’s excellent Outrider. Giving their earlier work a listen is now essential, and this version of Darkness Remains is a fine place to start.
The Deluxe Edition of Darkness Remains is available on marbled red/yellow vinyl, as well as CD packaged in a jewel case with an O card and poster.
Pre-order links: Curse Of The Damned and Darkness Remains.
