Eight years ago we witnessed one of the most over-the-top displays of old school speed metal ever, and shockingly, it was recorded by a band created in 2011 and not in 1982. That band was Demon Bitch from Detroit, Michigan, and the album was called Hellfriends. Ever since, I’ve waited for a second release from these guys, although I started to lose hope in recent years. It was a nice surprise to read the announcement that a second album is being recorded and, finally, Master Of The Games will be released after eight long years on November 29th. Actually, 2020 saw the release of another album from all band members of Demon Bitch (except bass player Brian Buckmaster), this time under the name White Magician, which was a progressive/ hard rock affair and a big departure from the Demon Bitch sound. So, the guys have not been completely silent all these years, but now we have the real deal once again.
A first glance at the press release for Master Of The Games shows anamazing and very appropriate artwork once again drawn by vocalist Logon Saton, and soon we are introduced into the album by a short instrumental intro with medieval, folky sounds. The Quickening then continues straight off the last minutes of Hellfriends, a statement of steely intent, with a storm of melodies and guitar wizardry. Logon’s vocals are just a little bit more restrained and refined this time, still telling tales of ancient times, arcane forces and mystical lands. The title track is even better, reminding me a lot of the first three Fates Warning masterpieces with John Arch at the helm. Not Of The Cruciform and Protector And The Horse are an uncompromising display of the compositional prowess of Demon Bitch, with every riff and every tempo change serving the grand purpose of the song to enchant the listener and keep you mesmerized until the end, never knowing what to expect in the next minute.
Do you remember the fantastic thrashers from the late eighties Holy Terror? Now, imagine their crazy song structures with less thrash and more classic heavy metal and a good dose of US metal (think Omen, Jag Panzer) also cleverly weaved in. The rhythm section is out-of-this-world, because the tempo is so frenetic at times and the songs so multi-faceted, that everything would fall apart under its own weight if Samuel Ceckowski (drums) and Brian Buckmaster were not as good as they are. What can I say about the solos? Just mind-boggling musicianship and crushing performances from both Mars Weston and Derek DiBella – check out the second part of Into The Archway or the whole closing epic Soldiers Of Obscurity if you need a quick evidence.
I already mentioned the fantastic performance of Logon and his much, much improved performance – now he sings, narrates, screams, chants (just check the operatic parts in Tower Of Dreams), elevating the whole album to an even greater level, singing these lyrics with such conviction, living and breathing every word. According to Logon, the stories told in the lyrics are “left pretty open for interpretation in most cases, but I certainly think there’s some interesting concepts for you to look into.”
Master Of The Games is not an album and music for mass consumption. This is a work of art, which needs your attention and appreciation of every detail the band has crafted so masterfully. This is an album which can proudly sit beside immortal classics in your collection like Rage For Order, Warning Of Danger or Awaken The Guardian and I can’t be happier from the fact that even though the Eighties are far behind us, there are still new bands coming out with amazing talent and feel for true, pure, authentic metal for the ages. Demon Bitch is one such band and Master Of The Games – an essential purchase.
10/10
Master Of The Games is out on November 29th and can be ordered from HERE
Distribution: High Roller Records (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Code 7 / Proper (UK), Audioglobe (Italy), Sonic Rendezvous (Benelux), MVD (USA, Canada), High Roller Records (Rest of Europe)
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