You think you know NIGHT DEMON? Then the Night Demon Heavy Metal podcast is for you. Step into the darkness as the band peels back the curtain to give you an unprecedented all-access look into the mind and the heart of the Demon. Topics like band history, song analysis, studio anecdotes and stories from the road will be discussed.
The sacred Night Demon crypt will be pried open to reveal demo recordings that have never before seen the light of day, all with in-depth commentary by the band and the people who were there for the writing and recording process. This is a goldmine, a treasure trove of all things Night Demon.
The Vysteria single marks Night Demon’s fourth 7” vinyl release of 2020. The song title is a fictitious word conjured by the band’s own darkened fertile imagination. It is defined as “exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement incited by the media, especially among a group of people during a pandemic.” Lyrically, the song is a clear-eyed, unflinching examination of what life has become during the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. “Vysteria” is not a political statement for these emotionally charged times; however, it does single out for critical scrutiny the mass media’s role in igniting, fueling and exacerbating the virus-related fears that have gripped so many from all different walks of life, socioeconomic statuses, and cultural backgrounds. The band penned this song in late March 2020, and ensuing events have only served to reinforce and validate their observations.
Musically, “Vysteria” is as savage, hard-charging and relentlessly uncompromising as anything in Night Demon’s catalog. It has to be, really. The song channels all of our collective anger and frustration with the present state of affairs into a mighty roar, a cathartic primal scream from the rooftops.
As a special treat, the 7” vinyl version of the song features an exclusive mix by legendary producer Randy Burns, whose credits include Megadeth Peace Sells … But Who’s Buying? , as well as thrashterpieces by Possessed, Nuclear Assault, Dark Angel, Kreator and Death, among others. The Randy Burns vinyl mix is completely different than that featured on the digital / video version of “Vysteria,” which was mixed by Kurt Ballou, guitarist of seminal hardcore punk pioneers Converge. The vinyl also includes a highly prized B-side, in the form of a live rendition of Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years.” Although “Wasted Years” has sporadically been featured as an electrifying encore to Night Demon’s live performances, this version holds particular significance for die-hard fans. You see, this recording is the lone previously unreleased track from the band’s historic set at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio on December 2, 2017, which became the acclaimed triple-live opus Live Darkness. “Wasted Years” was Night Demon’s final encore on that magical winter’s night, and the Vysteria 7” vinyl is the only place where it can be re-lived in all of its unvarnished glory.
NIGHT DEMON proudly announce the worldwide release of their new single “Are You Out There” which is the third single to be unveiled this year. Check out the lyric video HERE!
It is no secret that one of the band’s greatest influences is Thin Lizzy. Indeed, Thin Lizzy’s pioneering hard rock aesthetic is foundational to Night Demon, engrained in the band’s collective musical DNA. With this single, they celebrate the priceless legacy of Thin Lizzy, paying tribute to the iconic Irish minstrels with a pair of songs, one original and one cover. “Are You Out There” is a rollicking, feel-good tune whose hooks, melodies, vibe, and spirit were all crafted in the vein of the Dublin masters, yet still filtered through Night Demon’s signature sound. Even the subject matter of the song is related to Thin Lizzy, albeit with an autobiographical twist. Lyricist Jarvis Leatherby spins a cautionary tale about the final days of the legendary Phil Lynott, before his life was cut tragically short by drug and alcohol addiction. To be sure, “Are You Out There” may surprise longtime fans expecting a pummeling metal attack in the time-honored Night Demon tradition. But this song showcases a different side of the band, one that has always been present but perhaps obscured by the darkness and fury. Night Demon recorded “Are You Out There” at Electrical Audio in Chicago, under the watchful eye of famed rock producer Steve Albini. In keeping with the Thin Lizzy tribute theme, the B-side of Are You Out There is a suitably Demonized cover of the Lizzy classic “The Sun Goes Down.” Initially, Night Demon’s version adheres closely to the somber, moody feel of the original, only to explode into an urgent uptempo romp that indelibly etches Night Demon’s mark on the song.
The Night Demon legend continued to grow with the release of their second full-length album, Darkness Remains, in April 2017. Darkness Remains saw the band delivering all of the expected NWOBHM-inspired thrills and chills, but also honing their songwriting chops, developing more of an individual sound, sharpening their attack, and even taking a few chances along the way. The album was lauded by leading journalists, publications and webzines around the world, hauling in top honors in numerous end-of-year polls and lists. True to form, Night Demon again embarked on a grueling touring regimen, including headlining the Darkness over Europe tour and spending five weeks in Europe as direct support for German metal masters Accept. To celebrate their accomplishments thus far and document their ferocious live rituals, Night Demon released a comprehensive, career-spanning live album, Live Darkness , in August 2018. Recorded before a packed house of longtime friends and supporters in their adopted second home of Cleveland, Ohio, Live Darkness captured the band’s energy and intensity on that magical night, yielding definitive versions of the Night Demon catalog. More intensive touring followed, including a headlining appearance at the Hell Over Hammaburg Festival in Hamburg, Germany in early 2019, with special guest Uli Jon Roth joining the band for a spinetingling encore of the Scorpions classics “In Trance” and “Top of the Bill.”
NIGHT DEMON are thrilled to announce the worldwide release of their new single, “Kill the Pain”, which marks the band’s second single release of Spring 2020, following hot on the heels of the scorching Empires Fall.
Night Demon fulfilled a lifelong dream by recording this single at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark under the watchful eye of famed producer Flemming Rasmussen. Of course, Rasmussen has left an indelible mark on heavy metal history through his work on Metallica’s Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and … And Justice for All albums, among many others.
“Kill the Pain” is a tough-as-nails bruiser of a song that showcases Night Demon’s signature sound, a revved-up modernized take on classic British and American metal. Lyrically, however, the track marks a thematic departure by delving into serious, deeply personal subject matter. It tackles the heavy topic of suicide, forged in the pain of life experiences but with an inspiring message of hope and perseverance through adversity.
The B-side of Kill the Pain is a blistering cover of Cirith Ungol’s “100 mph,” with Night Demon’s Jarvis Leatherby and Cirith Ungol’s Tim Baker sharing lead vocal duties. Given the brotherhood between these two Ventura-based bands, and their years of traveling and performing together, “100 mph” marks a special collaboration as they join forces to breathe new life and power into this oft-overlooked gem from the One Foot in Hell album.
The Night Demon legend continued to grow with the release of their second full-length album, Darkness Remains, in April 2017. Darkness Remains saw the band delivering all of the expected NWOBHM-inspired thrills and chills, but also honing their songwriting chops, developing more of an individual sound, sharpening their attack, and even taking a few chances along the way. The album was lauded by leading journalists, publications and webzines around the world, hauling in top honors in numerous end-of-year polls and lists. True to form, Night Demon again embarked on a grueling touring regimen, including headlining the Darkness over Europe tour and spending five weeks in Europe as direct support for German metal masters Accept. To celebrate their accomplishments thus far and document their ferocious live rituals, Night Demon released a comprehensive, career-spanning live album, Live Darkness, in August 2018. Recorded before a packed house of longtime friends and supporters in their adopted second home of Cleveland, Ohio, Live Darkness captured the band’s energy and intensity on that magical night, yielding definitive versions of the Night Demon catalog. More intensive touring followed, including a headlining appearance at the Hell Over Hammaburg Festival in Hamburg, Germany in early 2019, with special guest Uli Jon Roth joining the band for a spinetingling encore of the Scorpions classics “In Trance” and “Top of the Bill.”
NIGHT DEMON have announced the worldwide release of their new single, ‘Empires Fall’ via Century Media Records. It’s been three long years since Ventura, California’s Night Demon unleashed their second studio album, Darkness Remains. In the interim, the trio brought their old-school metal attack to stages around the world with a fierce and indomitable work ethic.
Now, at long last, Night Demon answer the prayers of their rabid fanbase by unveiling their first new music since April 2017. “Empires Fall” is a quick-hitting, take-no-prisoners track chronicling the demise of the record industry and was mixed by Josh Newell & mastered by Brad Boatright. Punk legends, Lars Frederiksen and Matt Freeman of Rancid, as well as James Paul Luna (Holy Grail) also contributed background vocals to the track.
Watch the lyric video for “Empires Fall” below.
The single is available as a 7’’ vinyl version, including a cover version of Le Griffe’s “Fast Bikes” on the B site, as well as digitally on all streaming platforms. You can order your very own copy, or stream the track by clicking the button below
“It’s been three years since Night Demon has released original music. We’ve spent that time touring the world many times over, but all of that is sidelined now for obvious reasons. I present to you EMPIRES FALL. Our first offering of 2020. Enjoy” – Jarvis Leatherby
For The Metal Voice former singer of Anthrax, Neil Turbin was at the Los Angeles Strikefest at the Regent Theater on June 23 interviewing NIGHT DEMON, Canadian Thrashers RAZOR and reuniting with former touring Canada’s EXCITER after 35 years who used to tour with Anthrax in their Turbin era.
Watch the interviews here:
EXCITER When asked Exciter about their upcoming studio album(note-Exciter and Neil Turbin with Anthrax toured together in 1983 and haven’t seen each other in 35 years)
“We are in pre-production of the new album and we are just writing the tail end of it.” – Dan Beehler
“There are so many ideas we talk all the time, we bounce ideas off each other, we are constantly throwing ideas at each other, we just want to make sure it;s a great album.”- Allan Johnson
“The upcoming album has got to match the first three Exciter albums and we don’t want to rush it.” – Dan Beehler
When asked about reuniting the original lineup after so many years
“We started to realize all around the world so many happy Exciter fans and that it was way bigger than the three of us. Exciter has made so many people happy in the past couple of years a lot of people didn’t think it was going to happen, including us. We are having a great time meeting everyone everywhere we go, coming back after 30 years it was like it was yesterday.” – Dan Beehler
“Dan is the guy who dragged me in. I didn’t do anything music wise in the 90’s, Heavy Metal to me kind of died out back then. In 2002 I met up with Dan and he played me his Beehler demos and I was blown away, I said this is the best stuff you have done and I want in. I was telling John Ricci (Guitarist) it’s more fun now then it was in the 80’s. We are really having fun. Who gets to do this? There is no ego, everything is so cool now. ” – Allan Johnson
RAZOR When asked guitarist Dave Carlo of Razor about their upcoming Studio Album
“Music is done, the lyrics are in progress, the recording is going to take place in October 2018 and we have a couple of guests that are going to be on our album. I can’t say who they are right now but they are big surprises that are going to appear on bonus tracks. To get the guest we needed to adjust to their schedule. It’s not going to really affect the timeline, the new Razor record should be out early 2019. The album is going to be relentless and well executed metal.”
NIGHT DEMON When asked Jarvis Leatherby about any news on the next Night Demon album
“Space and Time can be the concept. All of our albums have started out as concept albums, we have always had an underlining theme I am just obsessed with concept albums. There are so many concepts we have tried to do in the past but I don’t know if its a financial reason or just having the time but they have never really been seen through 100%. We don’t have a time frame for the next studio album and it sucks. I do have working titles for the next album but I can’t even talk about it. We have a song called SHIT SHOW but it’s a working title. “
