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League Of The Serpent

    
       
       
       
     
             
Saint Deamon are a power metal band based in Sweden formed in 2006 releasing four albums to date - 'In Shadows Lost From The Brave' (2008), 'Pandeamonium' (2009), 'Ghost' (2019), and 'League Of The Serpent' released in 2023.    
             
Well now, what can you say about Swedish metal that hasn't already been said! It's glorious, wonderful, and continues to impress - even after four decades! There's been so many great metal (and rock) bands to have emerged from Sweden over the years, that it would likely take me the next four decades to list 'em all! And in the shape of Saint Deamon, Swedish metal is in very good hands - the band forging a heavy hitting yet melodic sound. The bands new album 'League Of The Serpent' is eleven songs and forty six minutes of infectious power metal to drool over - the album coming to life with the barnstorming 'At Break Of Dawn'. blending the trademark gallop of traditional heavy metal with the emphatic oomph of power metal. 'At Break Of Dawn' is a heavy hitter that'll make you sit up and take notice. Take notice of a band on fire, Saint Deamon roaring on with the faster paced title song 'League Of The Serpent', also bringing a slight progressive touch to the album. The head bang ability has just shot through the roof, 'League Of The Serpent' (the song) showing a clean pair of heels across the chorus break.    
             
A stunning opening one-two becomes a one-two-three with the majestic 'The Final Fight' adopting a heavy mid tempo swagger. And a corker of a riff too! Simply sublime! As I mentioned earlier, Sweden is a country you can rely on to produce great metal and rock bands - and in the shape of Saint Deamon, Sweden have done it again! The catchiness of 'The Final Fight' is incredible, and I defy all of you not to be smiling and nodding your heads right now! The quicker pace of earlier makes an emphatic return to breath life into 'Lord Of The Night' - another progressive tinged offering that melds heavy metal with power metal to fantastic effect. This album is gonna appeal to a very wide audience indeed! Maybe even a few rockers too! Especially with the mellower offering 'A Lie To Be Undone' - the first thirty seconds or so at least! And then wam, bam, thank you Saint Deamon, the bands trademark heaviness strikes hard - and may make a few listeners jump! Yes, it's that sudden! Melodic power metal has never sounded so good.    
             
Maintaining the aura of heavy, the album rolls on with the bustling 'Raise Hell', turning in a magnificently melodious gallop over the chorus break - the head bang ability at its highest since the 'League Of The Serpent' (the album) began. 'Raise Hell' is absolutely glorious, and my favourite song on the album...so far! And oh my, the groove that gives life to 'Lost In Your Sin' is simply gorgeous - the band continuing to broaden their sound, yet retaining their melodic roots. Melodic roots which run deep throughout the album, surfacing every four to five minutes to make every song a listening pleasure. There is just no stopping Saint Deamon, they are a relentless power metal machine, effortlessly churning out good song after good song, with 'Gates Of Paradise' the next stunner to wow listeners. My head hasn't stopped rocking back and forth since the album began, as I'm sure yours hasn't either!    
             
Bringing forth the old school gallop of bands such as Iron Maiden and Running Wild, the band storm on with 'Load Your Cannons', and a sing a long-able chorus that's gonna have every concert goer singing aloud - not to mention listeners too! And I have a new favourite song too, 'Load Your Cannons' a wonderful offering of magical proportions. And with a title that would adorn a ballad, 'Heaven To Heart' is definitely not a ballad! The band rumble on at a traditional "foot on the monitor" pace, once again effortlessly blending heavy metal with power metal to great effect. Have Saint Deamon just put themselves in the running for Album Of The Year? Methinks yes! Bringing the album to a barnstorming close, 'They Call Us Deamons' is the fastest song on offer, hitting hard and kicking harder. The most power metal sounding song on the album, 'They Call Us Deamons' harks back to a glorious time for power metal evolution when the likes of Accept, Grave Digger, and the mighty Helloween were shaping the sound of power metal.    
             
Overall, a terrific album of power, pace and poise, 'League Of The Serpent' is a traditional heavy metal come power metal gem.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
Review is also featured at Metal-Roos    
             
             
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