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Attick Demons: Atlantis
Attick Demons Atlantis album new music review

Attick Demons: Atlantis

Melodic Heavy Metal (NWOBHM)
3.5/5.0

Clearly, Portuguese metal band Attick Demons wears their musical influences on their sleeve, leather sleeve that is. With their first full-length album, Atlantis, Attick Demons unapologetically channels early Iron Maiden, and all other things New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Add guest appearances by early Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno and the classic metal guitar of Ross the Boss on the title track, and the similarities become both disturbing and entertaining. Then there's the vocals of Artur Almeida who attempts Dickinson, but sounds more like Tobias Sammet (Edguy).

Fundamentally, what you have here is a band, Attick Demons, being more Maiden than Iron Maiden, at least Maiden in their current form. Thankfully, however, Attick Demons does it quite well. Back in Time, at the start, begins this time travel as their Maidenesque vibe is girded by good drumming and sound, but muted, guitar work. This improves as you continue, more successfully on The Flames of Eternal Knowledge or Riding the Storm, by example. Sacrifice will convince you of how much Almeida sounds like Sammet. But the better part is the song arrangement where Attick Demons blends symphonic and choral notes with heavy metal for greater depth, a richer feel.

Meeting the Queen has an epic formula, sounding more like a metal anthem (but not a ballad), with some female vocal accents. However, it's also another song that makes you wonder if you're listening to early Edguy or a reincarnation of Iron Maiden. Likely, my least favorite track, though the song compositions is fine, is the title track: Di'Anno's vocals add little substance, and he's never really moved me as a singer. However, I could say the same of Bruce Dickinson as he hasn't always impressed me. (Put the stones down ... now.)

Despite the obvious comparisons to early Iron Maiden or second generation enthusiasts Edguy, Attick Demons does NWOBHM melodic metal in a grand style. In this case, substance trumps innovation, and imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery. It you dig your heavy metal in the old school tradition, Attick Demons' Atlantis is perfect for you. Recommended.

As an aside or point of question: is Attick Demons to mean 'attic demons' like 'demons in the attic' or possibly, said phonetically, 'attack demons'? Perhaps the band will clarify this one.






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In Short

On Atlantis, Attick Demons channels early Iron Maiden, and all things NWOBHM to an entertaining effect. Yet, they also sound suspiciously like second generation Maiden, also known as early Edguy.

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