By Phil Cooper
More than a decade has passed since Saint Deamon’s last release, 2008’s ‘Pandeamonium’. Now the Scandinavian four-piece have returned once more with their third album, ‘Ghost’. Fourteen tracks of melodic power metal await within the new album. Looking to reward loyal fans for their patience, Saint Deamon have stated that they are very proud what they’ve achieved and are excited to release the new tracks to the wider world. Armed with a fresh enthusiasm and a slight line-up change, is it worth the wait?
It’s immediately apparent that the extended period of rest over the years has done nothing to dull the edge of the band’s high energy output. Launching straight into ‘’Captain Saint D’ a track that will comfortably capture the attention of a live crowd with it’s easy to sing-along to vibe and catchy hooks. With a sea shanty quality complete with whistles, it pulls the listener straight in and sets up the rest of the album. There’s a lot to enjoy over the following thirteen tracks as the four-piece look to pack in all of the stylistic elements of power metal combined with genre twists and turns.
‘Return of the Deamons’ which features some Maiden esque qualities with galloping riffs and slick lead lines coupled with the likes of ‘Call My Name’ and ‘Higher’ deliver more hard charging traditional metal. With catchy riffs, powerful rhythm section and soaring vocals the heavy metal credentials of Saint Deamon are clearly illustrated.
Elsewhere on the album there’s epic prog like elements notably found within the likes of the title track that features an engaging flow of dynamics from the restrained introduction that gradually swells into a full band wall of sound. There is a touch of Queensryche in the delivery and execution as well as the song structure that draws the listener in following on from the opening tracks as it offers something technically different that still fits the established sound. More of the grand, sweeping prog delivery can be found within tracks like ‘Hell’s Calling’ and ‘Land of Gold’. Both of which build on the progressive like themes introduced from the title track but are able to blend in the heavier hitting metal aspect keeping the music firmly entrenched in the power metal genre but not allowing the delivery to stagnate and enhances the sonic interest.
From the opening track, ‘Ghost’ ebbs and flows through different phases before reaching its culmination with ‘Resurrection’. Initially the listener is offered a hefty dose of catchy straight up power metal and from there on in the music shifts into progressive elements, powerfully driven anthemic qualities and more straight hitting metal. The result of which is an album that does not stagnate and stick to one path. This is great for keeping each track sounding fresh and engaging. However, it does at times feel slightly disjointed. While there is undeniable talented musicianship and song-writing at work, it doesn’t necessarily lock together thematically. The listener is able to quickly identify favourite tracks depending on where they lean on musical preference. Not a bad thing as there’s lots to enjoy, however, a full run through of the record offers a lot of variations that leads to moments where the listener is unsure how one track led to the next. This is only a small gripe as ultimately over the course of 70 minutes ‘Ghost’ really does deliver.
Over the full 14 tracks the listener is treated to some top-quality melodic power metal that has a slight infusion of prog. Combining anthemic qualities with the grand vocal harmonies and sing-along choruses mixed with epic, sweeping soundscapes as well as straight down the line head banging riffs. Saint Deamon have made a welcome return with ‘Ghost’. For their pre-existing fans the album should definitely make up for the time gap from the previous release, for fans of the genre looking for additional artists it’s a key addition to the record collection.
- ‘Ghost’ is released on 13 September. You can get your copy HERE.
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