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Demons Down: I Stand
Demons Down - I Stand Album Art

Demons Down: I Stand

Melodic Metal Rock
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 07.03.2023 | Released: 10.03.2023

This Spring brings a new musical project from the Frontiers Music label, Demons Down and their debut album, I Stand. The band is a collaborative effort that features newcomers to the hard rock and metal scene, Chilean vocalist James Robledo (Sinner's Blood) and Italian guitarist Francesco Savino (False Memories). Both their bands released albums on the label in 2020 (The Mirror Star) and 2021 (The Last Night Of Fall) respectively.

Demons Down Click For Larger Image

Demons Down

Backing them up are some fine veterans from the same genres: guitarist Jimi Bell (House of Lords, Autograph), drummer Ken Mary (ex-House of Lords, Alice Cooper, Fifth Angel), and bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, bass, ex-House of Lords). If you look carefully at those pedigrees, you find a common band denominator, House Of Lords, whose third studio album was also called Demons Down. Coincidence?


Musically, then, Demons Down aspires to compose and play vintage melodic metal rock with the emphasis, perhaps, primarily on melodic and rock. We could quibble as to whether these tunes are metal or hard rock, perhaps more a hybrid. But it's undeniable that these songs revolve around song melody and harmony, notable rising for the guitar harmony and vocal arrangements, and rock rhythm and groove. While at times heavy or spry (as with sharp riffs), the songs easily present AOR accessibility and groove. The final ingredient in the Demons Down musical recipe is an abundance of impressive and soaring guitar solos. Got to love that.

All these things are self-evident with metal rock of Stranded In The Middle Of Nowhere, Where Will Our Tears Fall, or I Stand. Perhaps more anthemic and subtle is To The Edge Of The World, a steady to rising song. Similar, maybe, is Down In A Hole, which has an unusually long and mellow start, only to invoke steady riffs and rhythm section for a rising anthem. A more traditional ballad, underscored by a fine piano line, is On My Way To You.

All in all, Demons Down, featuring a quintet of exceptional talent, offers fans a well-crafted and entertaining album of AOR-infused melodic metal rock with their debut, I Stand. Fine stuff, and easily recommended.



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The Take Away

Demons Down, featuring a quintet of exceptional talent, offers fans a well-crafted and entertaining album of AOR-infused melodic metal rock with their debut, I Stand. Fine stuff, and easily recommended.

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