Demons of Noon – Death Machine  (Evil Feast Records)

0

Demons of Noon, matured under four lockdowns, inspired by Black Sabbath, Mazzy Star and evincing a similar approach to music as the Melvins. Demons of Noon have, after a steady stream of digital singles, cracked the big one with a full-length album, not just in digital format, but also on vinyl.

Death Machine presents us with four new compositions not already released as singles, (three this year and one last year, their 2020 EP The Summoning stays stand-alone) Up first is Echolalia a monster of an introduction to the album at nearly nine minutes long, the five, almost six-minute lead-up is cleverly composed as the sludge metal rhythms and guitars kick in and are overlaid by dual harmonic female vocals from Aria Jones and Tamsyn Matchet. Echolalia truly satisfies expectations of the shared code.

Crushing Sun is very much in the same vein, a similar pace as Echolalia, though the fellows in the band get more of a vocal look in before Coward takes it up a notch in the energy stakes, definitely a point when the mosh-pit would explode live. Succession is much more a traditional doom-stylized composition, very much their classic Black Sabbath influences show through, especially in the lead guitar overlays.

Halfway through Death Machine, Bad Men slows things down further, and the sludge/stoner rock comparisons come through, very much displaying the early Melvins mentality. Sphere of Peace is a strange beast, at almost eight minutes long, it reeks of Nordic long boats and Norwegian fjords, the folksy choir singing is perhaps not for everybody.

Demons of Shade is refreshing in its dynamics, some exemplary drumming, and the return of female harmonic vocals, while Torched and Burned continues messing with the medium as the guitar and tempo juxtapose, catching the listeners ear.

Death Machine is a carefully crafted debut album, well-written, and clearly refined live and in their practice rooms. I applaud the efficacy of eight narratives over less than an hour and shall make mention of the high production values. In their genre, in the world they have created for themselves, they have produced an album that they may take proudly into Valhalla.

Five out of Five Stars

Simon Coffey

Demons Of Noon Performed at The Wine Cellar last night. Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Michael Jeong:

 

Simon Coffey
Latest posts by Simon Coffey (see all)