Death SS
Heavy Demons

THE REVIEW

True Italian pride, I dare say. Death SS, besides being the most well-known Italian rock-metal band in the world, were probably the first to combine horror elements with their music.

The gloomy atmosphere surrounding Death SS's work makes everything truly evocative. Indeed, the very gothic and dark settings are the band's strong point, inspired, especially in their heavy makeup, by the cinematic productions of the '70s. The choreography in their live performances is evidence of this.

In "Heavy Demons," the band reaches their technical-creative peak, reinforcing their reputation as atmospheric musicians. In fact, the album expresses all the artistic sense of Sylvester and co., merging that "metallic" rock with truly "dark and evil" aspects.

Let's say the album is not, from a lyrical-musical perspective, "heavy," but it assumes a harmonious and eerie sound at the same time, with a touch of menace that makes it relatable. All the tracks are "imbued" with that horror atmosphere, making this work have mystical overtones.

The most interesting songs are "Family Bault" with its melancholic sound; "Inquisitor," with its epic-medieval charge; "Lilith," with its truly "haunting" rhythm; "Baphomet," where we find "church" choirs in Latin and the title track, in which Steve Sylvester, vocals, leader, and main composer of the group, adds an extra touch of the occult. Some versions of the CD also include 4 bonus tracks.

The choirs present in all the tracks are reminiscent of those in gothic metal bands; indeed, the neo-romantic aspect, dominant in Death SS's style, closes the circle of "Heavy Demons," an excellent work containing great horror-atmospheric sounds, traversed by "evil" rock that merges with a very evocative power/gothic metal.