Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
There was a great buzz when Night Demon announced their upcoming “Curse of the Damned 10th Anniversary Show”. The lads in particular Jarvis, have become local celebrities in our wee town despite hailing from Ventura, California.
I caught them for the first time in Sandino’s in 2023, touring with their Outsider album and they blew me away, so when tonight’s gig was announced it was a cert that we would be in attendance again this year. It’s not often that we don’t have to travel to Belfast or Dublin for a gig so I knew there would be a good turn out even on a Wednesday night from the local metal heads. There was Merch on sale for Devilsome and Night Demon and have to say the prices were a bargain – £20 for t-shirts and vinyl!! Haven’t seen prices that reasonable in many a year. Bagged myself a Glow in the Dark Night Demon t-shirt which looks the part.
Local lads Falchion are first up tonight and despite it being their first ever gig they take to the stage with swagger. Supportive mates gather at the front of the stage to cheer the lads on. The band have only been writing and rehearsing for a year now, which comes as a surprise as their setlist consisted of original songs bar one. Falchion are Ethan Mackel (guitar,vocals), Eoghan Campbell (guitar) Cormac Doherty (Bass) and Wiktor Zamojski (Drums).
The lads ripped into their set full of enthusiasm and sheer heavy metal energy playing, ‘She Brought Me Fire’, ‘Deathless’, ‘Lady of Mars (Dark Star Cover)’ and finished their lively set with ‘Lady of the Barrows’ and ‘Universe None’. It was fantastic seeing their loyal fans and the older heads gathering at the front of the stage to rock out to the lads set. One fan was wearing a plague doctor esque outfit and rocking out even at one stage bursting into Russian dance. It’s heart-warming to see a local band cutting their teeth at their first gig. It was nostalgic of years gone by when the town was buzzing with metal bands. Hopefully this will be a sign of things to come. The lads announced that they will be releasing a demo soon and have more gigs on the horizon which going by tonight’s metal-tastic reception will be well received.
Devilsome are a three piece from Newry who released an EP in 2023. The band feature Garth Kidd (Vocals and Bass), Joe McGuigan (Guitars – also of the band Gama Bomb) and John McSherry (Drums). Kidd’s Bass and vocal style are very fitting with the band’s gothic atmosphere.
The lads treated us to various tracks from their EP such as ‘7th Seal’, ‘Necromantic girl’ and ‘Children of the Night’. During the set Kidd commanded the crowd raise their glasses to Ozzy – the prince of darkness’s loss is still very raw amongst us all.
Night Demon formed in 2011 comprise of Jarvis Leatherby (lead vocals, bass) Armand John Anthony (Guitars, backing vocals) and Brian Wilson (Drums). They have three albums under their metal belts, compilation albums and a live album recording. The lads tour extensively playing world-wide and at large festivals. So it’s safe to say that regular visits to our wee town (including the Frost and Fireland gig in 2022) are most certainly not taken for granted. What struck me this evening was the amount of Night Demon t-shirts within the eager crowd – and these were not the t-shirts on sale in the Merch stall. The love between Night Demon and their Derry fans is fucking mutual!
As the crew begin to set the stage for the colossal Night Demon Sandino’s has filled up nicely. The eyes of the demon in the back drop are now glowing red and the mic stands displaying the recognisable Night Demon emblems are strategically positioned. The younger audience including the Falchion lads, are gathering with great excitement. Suddenly the legendary reaper with demonic red eyes appears from the side of the stage, as a red hue and ‘The Riddle of Steel’ music descends, he takes to the stage and from the sleeves of his cloak he reveals a dagger which he then removes from its sheath and points towards the demon in the back drop. As the Reaper leaves whence he came the Californian three take their positions on stage.
‘Screams in the Night’ erupts through the speakers with Armand’s riffs ripping through the thick warm air and Sandinos’s is exposed to an onslaught of ear piercing Metal! The crowd goes mad and the night has now truly begun. The three piece pack a punch more than proving that a third guitar is not required. We know tonight’s premise and we are prepared for their outstanding debut album in its entirety. Jarvis’s bass rumbles through Sandino’s as they launch into the catchy and groove laden ‘Curse of the Damned’. Armand’s solo is exquisite as he engages with a fan who plays air guitar in unison. The crowd are chanting along and head banging swept up in the electric ether.
‘Satan’ and ‘Full Speed Ahead’ further evidence how tight and melodic Night Demon are. Their energy is high octane as they pace and jump about the stage entertaining us with antics and enjoying their live show every bit as much as us. The crowd then cheer as Jarvis introduces ‘Black Sabbath’ (Black Sabbath Cover) as a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. The lads deliver a powerful rendition of Black Sabbath, Brian’s drums are sinister and on point – we could feel the double bass in our chests and the hairs stood on our necks – what a performance. ‘The Howling Man’ and ‘Heavy Metal Heat’ see a return to the albums track list and dynamic and energetic presence.
During ‘Killer’ the lads are joined onstage by Eugene the axe-wielding demon from their album cover. The crowd watch as Eugene menacingly threatens to strike the band with his axe. The lads continue with their vigorous and lively set as they enthral us with the remaining tracks from their Curse of the Damned opus. The final track of the album ‘Save Me Now’s catchy and anthemic chorus lingers as we sing along with Jarvis “save me now ‘cause I’m losing all control”.
As the lads finish the album Jarvis declares “Let’s take it back to the beginning from the first EP” and delights the crowd with ‘Ancient evil’. Night Demon have tried hard to mix up the remaining songs following the album after their gigs in Ireland – I’ve been reliably informed by a mate who attended Dublin, Belfast and tonight’s gig with his daughter, also a devoted metal fan. You gotta give kudos to bands who try and mix up setlist during their tours especially when playing anniversary tours. The epic ‘Flight Of The Manticore’ saw Brian on fire pounding on the drums with Jarvis and Armand melodically giving chase in this intricate yet exuberant instrumental.
One of the songs of the night for me was ‘Beyond the Grave’ from the Outsider album, its complex and melancholy tone gives us the opportunity to hear the vocal prowess of Jarvis, whilst the guitars and drums sound like galloping horses in their rhythm. The band then indulged us with a final encore and played the mighty ‘Night Demon’, a fitting track to close what was a fantastic night of heavy metal. The lads are down to earth and mingle with the fans after the gig. As Jarvis reflected near the end of the gig, they play to thousands in larger concerts and festivals and yet they enjoy the intimate and special nature of playing to smaller audiences. This was not from the teeth out these are genuinely down to earth guys who love what they do and damn they do it well.
Photography by Paul Verner for MPM – Voodoo Belfast
