Based in Melbourne, Australia are Demonhead. They started out in 2007 and released their debut EP Demonology 101 in 2009. According to their bio, they sound like a metal rock orgy. They’ve given me a copy of their EP for review, so let’s get to it.
Bring On The Doom – An eerie soundscape lures us into this EP. This is soon met by a rock beat and crunching guitar rhythm. The overall sound to this track is of an old school metal style, much like if you were to combine Black Sabbath and AC/DC with a splash of original Metallica. There is a nice lead in here at about 03:20. The pace is not fast but it is consistent with its rock beat as I said.
“Summoning the powers of darkness, Drawing them near, Hear the voices, hear them calling, Consumed with fear...”
Dopetown – This next track is also comprised of a hard rock beat and crunching guitar rhythm. There are two adjoining short leads in here from 01:46 which help to break up the monotony of the beat. There is also a background lead toward the end of the track. It’s a fairly standard style of playing and I’d have to slip this into the hard rock category. I should note it is a clean yet grunty vocal.
“Run away, run away, boy as fast as you can, Dopetown is a place where you can be found, Exit from the bottle let’s go, Foot down on the throttle let’s go...”
Hellbent On Disaster – This track starts out with a welcomed guitar melody. The song has a faster pace yet they continue to use that rock beat on the drums. This is a fairly short track at 02:49. At about 01:45 there is a guitar lead. Soon after the lead, they reintroduce the guitar melody which makes this track fairly catchy. They sound pretty good for their style and I’d enjoy hearing this out at a pub.
“This time! This time! Not gonna push me around...”
Pentamuff High – Another upbeat, hard rock track and this one consists of some high school angst. It is well structured with a natural flow of changes and additions. The lead guitar comes in toward the end of the track at 02:57. These are all pretty standard and basic compositions. The overall recording is good as everything sounds well balanced.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a freak or a ghoul, There’s only one place they will welcome you to school, Found deep in the darkness of hell, Embryonic evil spawned to tell...”
Every Good Boy – Here we have the shortest track on the album at 02:41 and of course it’s filled with rock beats, crunching guitar rhythms and the odd lead guitar. There’s nothing wrong with this music really, however I would prefer some more variety with the instruments. For example, how about a little more diversity in the drum beat or the rhythm guitar? Overall though, it is good for what it is and what it is, is hardened pub rock. Don’t get me wrong, I do like it, though it doesn’t provide me the option for much expression. Except of course for tapping my foot as I swig a beer.
“Ride the wave on this never ending sea of revolution, Sucked down by jealousy, hate and retribution...”
Leprechauns – Now for the final and longest track on the album at 05:15. There is a melody to accompany the rhythms for a good chunk of the start. This track is quite different to the rest of the album; there is more variety in the vocal parts, there is melody amidst the guitar work and the drums play a more varied beat (but only slightly). It is, overall, a good track.
“You can feel it, Deep inside your dreams, All the greed and hatred, Rips you at the seams...”
In essence, Demonhead have created a pretty good hard rock album. It will get your foot tapping and even your head nodding. There’s nothing outlandish about this album as it is all basic rock rhythms to entertain you. The CD I received is the in-store version. The CD cover has a picture of a demonic classroom with a few demon students and a sexed up demon teacher. Inside the CD sleeve are all the lyrics with what looks to be a fiery hell as background scenery. In the middle of the booklet is the band; as a whole and as individual shots. On the inner last page, after the remainder lyrics, is the album info and member information. On the very back of the CD sleeve is a pretty cool picture of a demon which seems to be dancing alongside a leprechaun upon a pentagram amidst a fiery realm. The CD itself has an unnumbered track listing and logo. On the very back of the CD cover is basically the same picture and unnumbered track listing. I should note for anyone who does purchase a physical copy of this CD, that when I inserted this into my PC it didn’t recognise it through my media player. It is however, iTunes compatible. Basically, if you are looking for a more relaxed yet upbeat style of music, then I suggest you check these guys out. As I mentioned earlier, it has portioned qualities of bands like Black Sabbath and AC/DC so if you like them, then give this a go.
LINKS
Demonhead Myspace
Demonhead Website
Demonhead Facebook
Review by Déa di Morté © 07 September 2011
All pictures courtesy of Demonhead