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Demon members Neil Ogden (vocals, guitar) and Paul Hume (drums) have a new project called Lawless together with Howie G (lead guitar) from Persian Risk and their goal is to shake up the European rock circuit with the new album "Rock Savage". They are aiming high and I became little sceptical when a band writes such strong words in the info-sheet to an album.

After listening to the first track 'Heavy Metal Heaven' my hunches grow and a fiasco felt close. It isn't often that the intro track is the weakest song on the disc. Happily the following track 'Black Widow Ladies' is a far stronger song and a heavy rock tune, which brought my interest back immediately. Neil's characteristic voice flows out the speakers and sparkling guitars make my day. 'F.O.A.D' is a classic heavy metal track in higher tempo and I had a smile on my face again. 'Misery' is a harder rock track with groovy chorus and it contains a very cool guitar solo. The pompous song 'SOS' is a power ballad with stunning guitars and very strong vocals from Neil! 'Step In' starts with bluesy guitars and moves with stiff hard guitars and is a little different song with heavy rhythms and big vocal harmonies, a very nice song actually.

Mega heavy guitars and doom drums come blasting in the beginning of 'Scream', which is the heaviest track on "Rock Savage". In 'Pretender', the tempo is again faster and my misgivings are swept away. This is an album that grows and has potentials to attract fans of melodic hard rock/metal. Amazing guitar playing and masterly vocals with a solid rhythm section with well thought music material results with positive feelings and a high score.

The mix of faster metal tracks and calmer rock songs appeals to me. The nice production from Ogden/Hume generates some points too.

If you like the 80's hard rock/metal, this is something you have to check out.

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