Post Description

Tracklist: 
I've Been Walking - Part 1 (9:49)
The Wizard Of Altai Mountains (4:52)
I've Been Walking - Part 2 (12:30)
Death Room (18:46) 

Brendan Bowen's Review

Careful not to sound complacent in the niche Gazpacho has created, Demon is the answer to anyone's suggestion that their sound might be samey. If anything, Demon is the ADD version of Gazpacho that I did not see coming. 

I've Been Walking - Part 1 opens the album much as their trademark sound would anticipate. Toward the end of the nearly 10 minute song, however, an edge forms and intensity builds that firmly seated my first impression in a brand new light. Finally ending with the mellow singular sound of what is credited as a violin but the tone has the depth of a viola. It is clear that Gazpacho is only improving in their ability and flair for the dramatic. 

The Wizard Of Altai Mountain takes an unusual turn. This one has some old world flair that morphs into a string and accordion ditty with audience noise backing it. Played by Stian Cartensen it is a complete shift in mood that makes an interesting blend between the two I've Been Walking parts. 

I've Been Walking - Part 2 is decidedly another notch in intensity. A sad movement leading in with a sick Sycamore tree that stretches through a series of, again, unusual vocal effects intoned with LP crackle and stanzas that wouldn't have seemed like Gazpacho and are an incredible surprise. This song highlights Jan Henrik Ohme's solid vocals that are framed around great migrating melodic ebbs and flows throughout the 12:30 minutes. 

The album ends with Death Room that will likely end up on the best song of 2014 list for next year's prog awards. It is an 18:30 minute opus that features a loose string bass (Kristian "Fido" Torp) juxtaposed to quarter note mandolin and deep-pocketed drums (Lars Erik Asp) that will squeeze your soul as it oozes between slow and delicate features that embark on the many changes throughout. Odd musical characters interweave including a variety of spacious vocal effects that create a highly complicated and enjoyable 3D soundscape. 

Rare is the album that can employ a contrast of the highs and lows so effectively to convey the elaborate moods on display here. With the right equipment the floor will shake (highly recommended) while high pitches are perfectly adjusted for full audible exposure. 

I won't make too much of what is likely already covered by the other able reviewers here, but this is a story of a manuscript left behind by an unnamed man who recorded an elaborate detail of the history and story of a tangible evil using terms and phrasing that suggested a very intimate knowledge, even declaring it an "intelligent will". Received as a curiosity showing the constructs of a troubled mind it makes for a unique template to build a fantastic musical masterpiece. 

At 46 minutes, I was left wanting more. A bonus track will be included in a limited release but it was described as a track that didn't really fit with the flow of Demon - hence the bonus status. 

The sound engineering exploits the dramatic movements between light piano to gentle strumming and back to full-bodied and well-rounded dark intensity. The style and taste of Demon is directed right into my preferred flavours. So much variety while keeping the integrity laid down by the standard bearer Night is the feat I have been waiting for ever since DPRP introduced me to it. 

Clearly Gazpacho took some chances by integrating banjo and accordion old world polka elements between metal riffs and unconventional vocal effects. The inclusion of Charlotte Bredesen's highly effective and beautiful choir and backing vocals truly help set Demon apart. This is creativity at it's best including an innate ability to build an audience friendly and listenable composition. Each fully attentive listen to Demon left me absolutely elated. No hesitation to give this album the credit it truly deserves - perfect. 

Bron: DPRP