Debut release by a Norwegian metal band and they play a very rousing, catchy style of metal with plenty of progressive elements. In vocalist Jon Thore Grefstad they have one powerful singer, who on 'No Man's Land' sounds like Rob Halford circa 'Painkiller' and on the slower number 'My Heart' the band and vocals sound like the Poodles! Elsewhere 'My Judas' really lets rip vocally and on the heavy riffing, whilst 'Ride Forever' beats bands like HammerFall at their own game. One listen to the chorus on this and you're happily singing along by the next play.

Overall Saint Deamon will appeal to fans of Gamma Ray and Helloween, with the title track sounding very much like these two bands. But they do have their own sound and - as previously mentioned - one hell of a vocalist, a real find. Very good debut album and hopefully a promising future awaits them.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie