The older I get, the more I’m enamored by the early ’80s US metal scene. Post-NWOBHM craze, but pre-thrash explosion, bands like Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Queensrÿche, and so forth expanded upon the ambitions of ’70s titans like Rainbow, Scorpions, and Judas Priest, laying down the bedrock for what we know today as power metal. It was an “anything goes” era, where the only rule was there were no rules. Each band strived to craft their own unique identity, going to extreme musical measures to stand ahead of the pack. While this ancient age has long since passed, if any band today is keeping its spirit alive, it’s Demon Bitch.
Hailing from Detroit Rock City, Demon Bitch’s debut, Hellfriends (2016), has gone down as one of the great traditional metal triumphs of the ’10s. In the years since, the members have gone on to explore further metallic expanses with the hard rocking, ’70s oriented outfit, White Magician, who most certainly taps a vein that would otherwise be out of place in the Demon Bitch universe. However, as 8 long years have passed since the release of Hellfriends, I couldn’t help but long for another Herculean helping of wildly over the top US steel from these metal masters of the game. Alas, as 2024 draws to a close, enter a new contender to the ring, Demon Bitch’s long awaited sophomore offering, Master of the Games.
If Hellfriends was a glorious throwback to ’80s US metal Valhalla, then Master ups the ante tenfold, blurring the line between blistering speed, progressive musicianship, and unadulterated power into a 9 song collection of sheer excellence. Upon first listen, comparisons can be made to legends like Mercyful Fate, Jag Panzer, Brocas Helm, and perhaps most similarly, early Fates Warning. Yet at no point does any one song on Master come off as a half-assed ripoff of these said bands. If anything, Demon Bitch expands upon this cult foundation to craft their own fresh spin on old school metal.
Between the banshee shrieks of frontman Logon Saton and Denner/Shermann-esque twin guitar attack of Lord Mars and Solon Saton, it’s impossible to deny the character on display. From the one-two punch of frenzied warrior speedster of “The Quickening” to dark melodic hymn of a title track, Demon Bitch leaves no stone unturned. Cuts like “Protector and the Horse” and “Sentinel at the Spire” absolutely nail the aura of The Spectre Within era Fates Warning, better than Fates Warning themselves ever could today. Epic metal opuses like “Into the Archway” and “Tower of Dreams” enchant as well, showcasing adventurous musicianship without coming off as senselessly pretentious.
No matter what realm of the traditional metal spectrum Demon Bitch lean towards, they manage to do so while being utterly captivating, taking the listener on a foreboding heavy voyage through land unknown. Not only is Master of the Games anything but a sophomore slump, but it was well worth its 8 year wait. It’ll likely take another 8 years to process the prowess on display, so I look forward to spinning this absolute beast for many moons to follow. Game on!
8 out of 10
Label: Gates of Hell Records
Genre: Power Metal
For fans of: Fates Warning, Brocas Helm, Mercyful Fate
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