Saint Deamon
In Shadows Lost From The Brave

From the cold of Sweden, the Saint Daemons land on metalheads' stereos all over Europe, a promising band with an already ambiguous moniker. The SD play an enjoyable power metal and have recently released their debut album, "In Shadows Lost From The Brave," which vaguely reminded me of the sound and melodies of the best Helloween. After a second listen, the album becomes more pleasant to listen to, and although the Nordic guys invent nothing original, they still deserve a positive review.

In this album, the songs are often driving, and after a slow (or narrated) part towards three-quarters of the track, they kick back with solos and musical parts that return to the initial refrain. The Saint Daemons (the name derives from a Nordic legend) talk about everyday difficulties, albeit without too much originality; the musical part is well-crafted and not too heavy, but in my opinion, it can improve over time.

After the brief intro, an epic and catchy "My Judas" starts, catchy and well-paced. The rhythm of "In Shadow Lost From The Brave," the title track, is even better, deep and engaging. The melody, the restarts, and the typical classic power sound reminded me of Kiske's band during the first "Keeper..." era. Nice solo and strong drums for one of the best tracks on the album. "My Heart" is another driving piece, epic and slower but still well-done. "The Burden" instead seemed more forced in the singing at the beginning, although it colors itself with nice riffs and pleasant solos in the middle. In my Helloween-like comparison, I would compare "No Mans Land" to "Halloween": a long ride, with an epic slow part in the middle before a restart charged with splendid riffs: it's engaging and has a nice imaginative rhythm with various influences. In "Ride Forever," I liked the introduction of a second aggressive voice that sometimes intervenes, while "Black Symphony" is a badass piece with a typical power sound. After the solemn symphony of "Daemons," comes the honest "The Brave Never Bleeds": not bad, but nothing transcendental for those familiar with the most classic power. "My Sorrow" is a slow (not too touching) piece preceding the concluding "Run For Your Life," captivating for the rhythms, solos, and musicality.

Overall, the album sounds good; the Saint Daemons seem capable, and although it's not a too aggressive album, it faithfully reflects traditional power sounds. If desired, even refreshing them in a modern key.

RATING 6.5