Demon (band)

Last updated

Demon
Demon live 2010.jpg
Demon performing in 2010
Background information
Origin Leek, Staffordshire, England
Genres
Years active1979–1992, 1997–present
Labels Clay, Carrere
MembersDave Hill
Paul Hume
David Cotterill
Karl Waye
Paul 'Fasker' Johnson
Neil Ogden
Website demon.band

Demon is an English heavy metal band, formed in 1979 by vocalist Dave Hill and guitarist Mal Spooner, both hailing from Leek, Staffordshire. The band is considered important to the new wave of British heavy metal movement.

Contents

History

Early years

The original line-up was completed by former Hunter members Les Hunt (lead guitar), Chris Ellis (bass), [1] and John Wright (drums). The band were signed by Mike Stone's Clay Records in 1980 and licensed to Carrere Records to join their stable of metal bands. Their debut album, Night of the Demon, was released in 1981. [2]

After their 1982 follow-up album, The Unexpected Guest, the band experimented beyond the NWOBHM sound and moved the band in a more melodic direction whilst still retaining the more traditional heavy metal black magic lyrical style. [3]

In 1983, Demon took a change in direction. [3] The Plague marked a swing towards a more progressive sound, adding the keyboards of session musician Andy Richards to the album's sound. Lyrically the band also changed direction, switching to a more overtly political style that was to characterise their albums for the rest of their career. [3]

The following album, Pink Floyd influenced British Standard Approved (1984), released on the small independent Clay label, was not a huge commercial success, and with the death of Mal Spooner later that year, it appeared that the band would soon fold. At this point, the band had recruited a permanent keyboard player and co-songwriter in Steven Watts. [3]

1985–1992

The following release Heart of Our Time (1985) [2] showed that the remaining members of the band were determined to continue, and it was the start of a new songwriting partnership between Hill and Watts. Although the album is regarded as the weakest of the band's releases, it paved the way for the critically acclaimed Breakout (1987) and its follow-up Taking the World by Storm (1989). [3] Demon released two more albums in the 1990s: 1991's Hold On to the Dream and 1992's Blow Out, before splitting up in 1992 which, according to singer and founding member Dave Hill, was because of fatigue. [4]

Reunion (2001–present)

Demon at the Rock Hard festival in Germany, 2017 Demon @ Rock Hard Festival 2017 141.jpg
Demon at the Rock Hard festival in Germany, 2017

Hill reunited the band with new members in 2001, and released a new album called Spaced Out Monkey. The band has since gone onto release a further three albums: Better the Devil You Know (2005), Unbroken (2012) [5] and their latest release Cemetery Junction, which was released on 28 October 2016.

All of the band's post-reunion releases have received positive reviews from the press, leading the band to go on and play many festivals across Europe - including the Bang Your Head!!! festival and Sweden Rock Festival - but to rarely embark upon full tours. The band toured with Magnum singer Bob Catley in 2005, and in 2018 celebrated the 35th anniversary of The Unexpected Guest by touring the UK, playing all of the songs from the album, plus some other classics. [6]

On March 26, 2024, the band announced a new album: Invincible, which was released on May, 17, [7] again receiving favourable reviews. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Members

Current

Former

Timeline

Demon (band)

Discography

Studio albums

EP

Live albums / compilations

Videos

Dave Hill solo album

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judas Priest</span> British heavy metal band

Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Judas Priest have also been referred to as one of the pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement, and are cited as a formative influence on various heavy metal subgenres, including speed metal, thrash metal, power metal, and the hard rock/glam metal scene of the 1980s. Despite an innovative and pioneering body of work in the latter half of the 1970s, the band had struggled with poor record production and a lack of major commercial success until 1980, when their sixth studio album British Steel brought them notable mainstream attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skyclad (band)</span> British heavy/folk metal band

Skyclad is a British heavy metal band heavily influenced by folk. They are considered pioneers of folk metal. The term "skyclad" originates from a pagan/wiccan concept referring to ritual nudity, where rituals are performed with participants metaphorically clothed only by the sky, symbolizing equality. The name reflects both the band's religious inclinations and their social beliefs, as expressed in the song "Skyclad" on their debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spoon (band)</span> American rock band

Spoon is an American rock band from Austin, Texas, consisting of members Britt Daniel, Jim Eno (drums), Alex Fischel, Gerardo Larios and Ben Trokan. The band was formed in Austin in October 1993 by Daniel and Eno. Critics have described the band's musical style as rock and roll, post-punk, and art rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infectious Grooves</span> American funk metal band

Infectious Grooves is an American funk metal supergroup led by vocalist Mike Muir and initially a side project from his group Suicidal Tendencies. The current lineup also includes guitarists Dean Pleasants and Dave Kushner, bassist Robert Trujillo, and drummer Jay Weinberg. To date, the project released four albums between 1991 and 2000.

Battleaxe are an English heavy metal band from Sunderland. As one of the bands of the new wave of British heavy metal scene, they started out with the name Warrior and morphed into Battleaxe in early 1981. The band consisted of Dave King (vocals), Brian Smith (bass), Steve Hardy (guitar), and Ian Thompson (drums). After playing around the area and honing their craft, they entered the recording studio to make a demo called "Burn This Town". In doing so, they garnered the attention of Roadrunner Records, and the result was their first album, Burn This Town.

Frehley's Comet was an American rock band formed and led by ex-Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley. The group released two studio albums and one live EP before Frehley left the band to release his 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin'.

Edgar Broughton Band were a British rock band founded in Warwick in 1968, and in their initial form were operative through to 1976. They were a trio consisting of brothers Edgar and Steve Broughton (drums) with Arthur Grant (bass), which was augmented at various times by a second guitarist and/or keyboardist, significantly Victor Unitt. They released five studio albums, including Sing Brother Sing, and six singles, including "Out Demons Out", on the EMI Harvest label and one further studio album for NEMS. The group reformed from 1978 to 1982, initially renamed as The Broughtons, issuing two more studio albums, and again from 2006 to 2010 with Edgar's son Luke for live appearances only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masters of Reality</span> American rock band

Masters of Reality is an American rock band formed in 1981 by frontman Chris Goss and guitarist Tim Harrington in Syracuse, New York, United States. They took the name for the band from a misprinted label of the third Black Sabbath album, Master of Reality. Goss has remained the only constant band member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Splodgenessabounds</span> English punk rock band

Splodgenessabounds are an English punk rock band formed in Keston, Kent. The band is associated with the Oi! and punk pathetique genres. Their frontman is Max Splodge. They have scored three UK Singles Chart entries, including one Top 10 hit and a second Top 30 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nailbomb</span> Multinational heavy metal band

Nailbomb is a heavy metal band formed in 1993 as a side project by Brazilian musician Max Cavalera of Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy and Soulfly, and British musician Alex Newport of Fudge Tunnel. They played a combination of primarily industrial metal and thrash metal. The band recorded one studio album, Point Blank, and played a warmup live performance and their only official gig for 29 years at the 1995 Dynamo Open Air Festival two days later, after which the band disbanded. The band will reunite for a one-off show in Tempe, Arizona in November 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atomkraft</span> British heavy metal band

Atomkraft are an English speed metal band from Newcastle, who were part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. They formed in 1979, disbanded in 1988, and reformed in 2005. Atomkraft's "Total Metal" approach draws inspiration from fellow NWOBHM bands such as Motörhead and Venom, punk rock bands such as The Dickies, and early Exodus or Slayer. Lead vocalist/bassist Tony Dolan also fronted Venom for a number of years in the late 1980s and 90s.

<i>Live at Donington</i> (Iron Maiden album) 1993 live album by Iron Maiden

Live at Donington is a live album and video by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, documenting their second headlining appearance at the Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park, a motorsport circuit located near Castle Donington. The concert took place on 22 August 1992 during the Fear of the Dark Tour in front of a crowd of almost 80,000.

The Amenta are an Australian extreme metal band formed in 1997 as Crucible of Agony. By 2002 the line-up was Cesium 137 on lead vocals, Diazanon on drums, Ethion on guitar, Endrin on bass guitar and Chlordane on keyboards. In 2009 the line-up had Miehs and Pope joined by Cain Cressall on vocals, Dan Quinlan on bass guitar and Robin Stone on drums. The group has issued three studio albums, Occasus (2004), n0n (2008), and Flesh Is Heir (2013). The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2013, but reunited in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impellitteri</span> American heavy metal band

Impellitteri is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles formed and led by guitarist Chris Impellitteri, singer Rob Rock, and bassist James Amelio Pulli. The band has sold millions of albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geordie (band)</span> British rock band

Geordie are a British rock band from Newcastle upon Tyne initially active in the 1970s with notable songs such as "Don't Do That", "All Because of You", "Can You Do It", "Electric Lady" and "Goodbye Love".

The Eternal are an Australian gothic/doom metal band formed in 2003 by Mark Kelson on guitar, lead vocals and keyboards. They are known for playing dark, melodic, doom metal with eastern and gothic influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tank (band)</span> British heavy metal band

Tank is an English heavy metal band formed in 1980 by Algy Ward, a former member of The Damned. The original band is known as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. Tank was often compared to Motörhead as both bands were trios fronted by singing bassists, and played a loose, almost punk-styled metal music with often colourful lyrics.

Tokyo Blade are an English heavy metal band, active since 1982. Tokyo Blade is one of the many acts considered part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement, which lasted from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. Tokyo Blade have been through many changes of formation and have disbanded twice, often changing their musical style during their years of activity. However, the band is still active, with most of the original members in the lineup.

Heavy Metal Kids are a British rock band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrath</span> Tunisian progressive metal band

Myrath is a Tunisian progressive metal band formed in 2001 by guitarist Malek Ben Arbia and currently based in France. The band has been noted for its mix of Arabic and Middle Eastern instrumentation with power metal and progressive rock and is considered an important band in oriental metal. They call their own sound "blazing desert metal". They are the first band from Tunisia to be signed to a record label outside the country.

References

  1. "Demon". Chris Ellis. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  2. 1 2 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 101/2. ISBN   0-85112-656-1.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Potts, Mark L. (10 November 2006). "Official DEMON biography 2001". Demon Official Website. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  4. Ekdahl, Anders. "Demon 2001 Interview". Battlehelm. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  5. "Demon 2012 Unbroken". Encyclopedia_Metallium. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  6. Ritchie, Jason. "Demon 2005 Interview". Get_Ready_To_Rock. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  7. https://www.facebook.com/DemonBandOfficial/posts/pfbid02QrNnGiptMHNfhSCFYwo1H7D5RM1cjmGfN29i7XQCY8KM8dt3Ct1rCpVTBCs5FweUl [ bare URL ]
  8. "DEMON – Invincible (2024) | Album / EP Reviews @ Metal Forces Magazine".
  9. "Demon - Invincible | CD". 19 May 2024.
  10. https://www.rockreport.be/albums/demon-invincible#! [ bare URL ]
  11. "Album review: DEMON – Invincible".
  12. "Review: Demon - Invincible (2024)". 16 May 2024.
  13. "DEMON | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  14. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 150. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.