Demon: Invincible

Forty-five years into a career which really hasn't seen the band get their just desserts Demon produce Invincible and like their fellow oldsters Saxon, Priest and Bruce Dickinson prove, that in 2024 there's a metric shit tonne of life left in many old mutts yet. Invincible was written and produced by original member and vocalist Dave Hill (not THE Dave Hill) and drummer Neil Ogden. Dave Cotterill and Paul Hume are on guitars, Paul Fasker Johnson is on bass, and Karl Waye is on keyboards. Mastered by Harem Scarem's Harry Hess and the album was mixed by the ubiquitous Pete Newdeck.

Put simply, Invincible is a joy. Demon remains quite difficult to pigeonhole. And therein lies much of the joy and reasons for repeated plays in all their work. Are they metal? Yes but no. Are they classic rock? Yes but no? Are they progressive? Yes but well...yes, mostly. Are they AOR? Yes but no. There's a lot going on.

Dave Hill is no longer a young whippersnapper and his voice is decidedly lower than it used to be but this isn't a problem. By now you've probably seen and heard the first single "Face the Master" which is a real grower harking back to the past yet remaining resolutely modern (thankfully without a rap middle eight.) "Ghost from the Past" combines big riffs and a spooky, catchy chorus whilst "Beyond the Darkside" brings out the 'Whoa oh ohs' and power for a remarkably strong middle section of the probable first side.

The second half isn't too sloppy either. "Hole in the Sky" is quite frankly, as the young people say, epic and brooding while the Magnum-like "Break the Spell" might be among Demon's finest ever tunes. Forty-five years into their career the band are probably playing the converted but if you are one of the choir you'll love this album and of course, you should tell all your friends to be more attentive.

Track Listing:
1 INTRO
2 IN MY BLOOD
3 FACE THE MASTER
4 GHOST FROM THE PAST
5 BEYOND THE DARKSIDE
6 HOLE IN THE SKY
7 BREAK THE SPELL
8 RISE UP
9 INVINCIBLE
10 CRADLE TO THE GRAVE
11 BREAKING THE SILENCE
12 FOREVER SEVENTEEN

Added: November 18th 2024
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1036
Language: english

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