Night Demon did us a solid by putting together a compilation of all the out-of-print 2020 singles into one scorching album, Year of the Demon (Century Media Records). A huge, “Thank You!” to Jarvis Leatherby, Dusty Squires, and Armand John Anthony; “Y’all got our backs and we grateful!” If you were one of the legions of Night Demon fans that missed out on one or more of the 7” singles in coloured vinyl format, then go forth and buy this compilation album. If you’ve no bloody idea who Night Demon are and why this is awesome sauce, go forth and buy this compilation album. If you just like wicked heavy metal, go forth and buy this compilation album. Should you buy this compilation album? Yes, yes you bloody well should go forth and buy this compilation album.

Year of the Demon starts off with the deliciously old school metal riffage of ‘Empires Fall’. ‘Empires Fall’ has everything you like in a metal song: fast guitars, choral singing, slow angsty breakdown before guitar solo, and uplifting lyrics (albeit a bit of schadenfreude if you are an empire supporter). ‘Kill the Pain’ opens with lyrics, “Do you ever feel you don’t belong? But nobody senses anything wrong. The pain of existence cuts like a knife…” So spot on. Every metal head everywhere can relate to this song. This is a headbanging glory anthem at its best. ‘Are You Out There’ is a wonderful tribute to Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy. The album has three live tracks, ‘In Trance’ and ‘Top of the Bill’ featuring Uli Jon Roth, and ‘Wasted Years’, the Iron Maiden classic. Every song on the album is quintessential Night Demon and is sure to please aficionados of the classic heavy metal sound.

Night Demon’s Year of the Demon is an exciting and fun album. It’s full of great songs that get your blood flowing. Dusty Squires provides some heavy drumming. Armand John Anthony is blistering on guitar. And vocalist bassist Jarvis Leatherby is sublime. Year of the Demon is a solidly good heavy metal album to have in your arsenal.

Buy the album here: https://nightdemonmusic.lnk.to/YearOfTheDemon

7 / 10

VICTORIA ANDERSON