Artist: Sätaniak
Title: Demo
Type: EP
Label: Digital / self released
We all like a bit of metal don’t we? I don’t mean whatever sub genre or offshoot we’re currently about, but just that straight down the line ‘fuck it let’s reach the end of the song as quick as we can, no brakes’ kind of metal. Or just stuff that can’t be listened to without a clenched fist waiting to pump the air. So I often look around for stuff like that and saw this pop up.. A four piece from London. Completely new to me, but…. Name? Check. Mandatory umlaut? Check. Demonic artwork? Check.
Ok, lets give the engine a workout.
‘Introphiliak’ is a ponderous, juddering heavy intro. A neat little bass creeping in, a bit of Vincent Price before ‘Reaper’s Wrath’ kicks in. I think I was kind of expecting some proto thrash but this is genuinely gold old NWOBHM fuelled heavy metal. Basic production, just like all those singles I heard in my youth. But just like them it just reeks of enthusiasm, focus and enjoyment. Mid paced but with scampering lead breaks, barked vocals that can hold a tune well. And best of all; kind of catchy. And yes, it makes me smile.
‘Aswang’ shifts the gears up a little, throws in a bloodcurdling scream and we’re into Filipino shape shifting demonic folklore. Yes this is bare bones metal but the shofts in tempo, the surprisingly very well recorded drums and a great bass sound given plenty of room to shine with the live in the studio vibe I realise I’m actually very nicely impressed.
Final song is ”Freedom From Fate’. The vocals deliver the lyrics cleanly, the chorus grabs you and its just great, roots level heavy metal. What’s not to like?
I’m not going to pretend that this doesn’t need things; a brighter production, time to grow, all that stuff. But what they already have is the spirit bang on. Anyone out there remember Conquest Of Steel (RIP the great, enthusiastic Dan Durrant)? They had this when they started – a drive to just play heavy (fucking) metal. They’d give the same full on performance to a festival crowd or eight people and a dog (literally, I was at one of those. There was a dog). Sätaniak have that honest, down to earth vibe. They clearly love heavy metal. They clearly have songwriting talent that can only grow too, and this short demo just made me smile so much I had to tell you about it.
I know some people are going to look at me funny…well more than usual…for praising this. But sod them. Bare bones music, a demo, gives me mental images of 80s guys in stripy strides and leather waistcoats and probably one guy with a perm. A production that reminds me of the Geddes Axe ‘Return Of The Gods’ EP. All good stuff. I mean it got me feeling all that. I really hope they give it a good go as I think there’s some exceptional stuff to come if they do.
Gizmo
Walking The Liminal Space 