ALBUM REVIEW: Demon Head - Through Holes Shine the Stars

This is the fifth album by the Danes since their debut in 2015, Ride the Wilderness. 

Demon Head are a new band to me, and I was instantly impressed with the opening song The Chalice, which has quite a gothic feel to it. Down With the Sky follows, and Marcus Ferreira Larsen's distinctive vocals are clearly a strong part of their sound. The track is well delivered and very haunting. 

Our Wicked Mother is next and must be strong contender for the next video or single. It continues with the gothic overtones but possesses a slower, more dramatic feel. Every Flat Worm was the first sampler released and I can hear Type O Negative influences with the vocal duet with Birk Gjerlufsen Nielsen alongside the piano adding to the atmosphere. The piano intro on Wildfire Main has a definite B movie horror feel through the start and would easily fit into a film. Deeper Blades is enhanced by female vocals, complementing Marcus in a slower more brooding feel, gently building up the pace with some excellent rhythm work. 

Frost picks up the pace again with a more stripped back guitar tone and solo, giving the album a good old school metal sound. This leads to the closing track, The Vessel Is Willing. A building rally call grows with gusto before mellowing down briefly. The strong drumbeat carries the mid-section into fade out. A good well-balanced album and of interest to everyone who likes the more gothic side of rock and metal. For fans of Calabrese!

Through Holes Shine the Stars is out now via Svart Records.

Review by Dez Coley