"Rare
as hell Power/Speed on micro-label, primitive fantasy cover art", that's
what it says on my tradelist and I guess that's enough for many of you
to start salivating and promptly update your wantlists, but let's still
elaborate a bit further in order to make this into a proper review...
The 1st thing that strikes you when listening to this LP is the annoying
production, or annoying drum-sound to be specific. It's that pointless
digital/triggered/drum-machine sound that can ruin the best of metal records,
and almost succeeds this time as well. Luckily DEMONIAC are great songwriters
and manage to keep their metalheads above water throughout the whole album.
Classic, catchy Speed/Power/melodic Thrash Metal is the dish of the day,
served with good, high vocals as is customary. Not one ounce of originality,
but who would expect otherwise, seeing as this is post- and not pre-iron
curtain East Euro-Metal. Songwise it's a rather even album with at least
one rememberable riff or harmony in each song, but some cuts stand out,
like the epic, mid-paced "Winds Of War" with a really neat & crunchy lead
riff, the METALLICA-influenced "And After All" and the mid-paced "Livin'
In Another World" with it's simple but catchy chorus. So the sound may
be thinner than my wallet after a Metal Market, but the musicianship and
songs matches (and resembles) such revered collector items like
VALOR or the Norwegian
WITCHHAMMER, so curious collectors should indeed try
out this platter if opportunity comes. There's also a cassette version
available, but it doesn't do the "Crystal Logic"-inspired artwork much
justice, although it might be easier to locate. Tapes have a tendency
to withstand months of UN-bombing much better than fragile vinyl records.
At least that's what I've been told.