With the multi-instrumentalist Heavy Steeler steering the ship that is Diabolic Night, backed by drummer Christhunter, you can probably guess that the tracks on his latest opus will be as heavy, dark and rapid as his 2019 debut, Beyond The Realm.
It’s called Behind The Crimson Prophesy and the blackened speed metal has been, in places, expanded with more as hints of NWOBHM weave their way through my favourite track, ‘Pandemonium.’ The added depth and fine nuances (and calmer, melodic drumming!) make this a real heavy rock classic in waiting. Sure, the growling vocals appear, but Heavy Steeler puts melody into them and the guitar and bass are first-class.
Elsewhere, the cinematic instrumental opening of ‘Revelation’ is blown away by the not-quite black, speedy ‘Tales Of Past And Mystery.’ ‘Starlit Skies’ is a subtle departure as the gentle(ish) intro leads to a frantic-paced, nearly sing-a-long melodies. The eight-minute epic, ‘Arktares Has Fallen’ shares a basic pattern with the previous track before it veers almost literally into a world of its own. The gentle bridge only serves to mislead as the lead guitar, once again begins an exciting journey across nearly every fret and string.
As with all death-laced vocals, you will either like ‘em or loathe ‘em, but there is always a melody and the song structures are worthy of any genre of heavy rock. Try it and see.
Behind The Crimson Prophecy is out now.
