Like certain other genres, there is a risk within the doom/stoner/sludge genres of coming across derivative – running over the same well-trodden ground as those that came before. Demons Of Noon are well clear of any such aspersions with their new eight track album ‘Death Machine,’ out through Evil Feast Records.
A peddling bass guitar, quasi-psychedelic vocals, and five-minute build plugs the listener straight into said machine on the album’s opener, Echolalia. “Voices in the rain…” (and two more lines difficult to make out as the vocals sit somewhat low in the mix) is chanted over the all-in onslaught brought by the introduction of the drums, showcasing exactly how Demons Of Noon fit into the doom realm, alongside contemporaries like Beastwars and Stoner – bands for whom Demons Of Noon have, in fact, opened.
From here ‘Death Machine’ wends its way through chunky riffs aplenty, stopping off along the way at Viking voyages, Gregorian ceremonies, and open, ambient guitar chords lifted straight out of a spaghetti western. One of the album’s highlights is the repeated screaming of “Coward!” in the song of the same name, which precedes an unravelling into a drumming frenzy, showcasing Joseph McElhinney’s prowess, before re-tightening into an everybody-accent-the-hits ending. Another highlight is the impressive falsetto (or is it whistle voice?) section, performed by either Aria Jones or Tamsyn Matchett – two of the three lead vocalists – that brings an end to the ironically named Sphere Of Peace.
Throughout ‘Death Machine,’ Demons Of Noon continually showcase an ability to fit into their genre whilst simultaneously transcending its limitations. The quiet moments are just as uneasy and ominous (in a good way) as the up-to-eleven sections of out-and-out metal. The influence of bands like Black Sabbath is evident though not overarching, but it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to assume influence from the likes of ‘80s art pop pioneer Kate Bush upon hearing the verses of Succession, or nordic dark folk group Wardruna throughout various ritual-esque moments on the album.
Described by Desert Legend Sean Wheeler as being “a Doom Jesus Christ Superstar Troupe,” Demons Of Noon gives every indication of being an unstoppable force. Deserving of a decent stereo system with production by the inimitable James Goldsmith, ‘Death Machine’ delivers right up until the very last crash of the album’s closer Torched And Burned, after venturing through a very pleasing, truly heavy metal lead break, to round up a cracking debut LP.
