Last year I did a review of a compilation of unreleased material and an interview with a thrash metal band called Bitter End. Recently Russ Stefanovich of Bitter End contacted me about his new project Demon Dogs.
Where Bitter End was a thrash metal band, the sound on Demon Dogs' first EP is closer to traditional heavy metal with a little bit of American power metal thrown in. The music is fast and upbeat with a lot of melody. It is much closer in sound to the works of groups like Jag Panzer, Virgin Steele, and Helstar. This album is full of energetic riffs, shredding solos, and the air raid siren vocals of Sean Aust. On "Ticking Parcels", Aust's vocals in each of the verses even bears a strong resemblance to Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden.
"The Others" kicks things off on a high note with its galloping opening riff, calling to mind the trademarked riffing style of Iced Earth. The band does not really slow things down from here. Demon Dogs also features members of Coven and Midnight Idols, so these guys are no strangers to putting out hard-driving metallic anthems. They certainly pull it off on this EP.
About the only disappointment that I can think of is that "Howl", which is posted on the band's website, did not make it onto this EP. This is unfortunate because it is probably the most dynamic of the five songs I have heard from this group.
This is a very short, but very enjoyable EP. There are only four songs here, but the energy is infectious on it. Each of the songs is catchy in its own way. This is a very promising debut release from a new band. I look forward to seeing what Demon Dogs will come up with next.
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