Demons Down - I Stand

[Stefan]

 

Surprise, surprise. ADV again...

From Frontiers:

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announced the signing of Demons Down, a new band featuring two talented up-and-coming musicians, vocalist James Robledo (Sinner's Blood) and guitarist Francesco Savino (False Memories), along with hard rock scene veterans guitarist Jimi Bell (House of Lords, Autograph), drummer Ken Mary (ex-House of Lords, Alice Cooper, Fifth Angel, etc.), and bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, bass, ex-House of Lords, etc.). Their debut album, "I Stand" sees this gathering of young performers and established skill players delivering a quintessential classic hard rock album.

Demons Down traffics in a hard rock sound that references the late '80s/early '90s movement where massive hooks, huge melodies, and lush keyboards were the order of the day. But this is no simple exercise in paying tribute to yesteryear as the music rocks hard to compliment the vocal talents of Robledo (who has, sonically, been compared to the likes of Jorn Lande and Russell Allen). Fans of early House Of Lords material and their sonic peers from that time period as well as Robledo's debut solo album, "Wanted Man", will have much to enjoy here. 

James Robledo is a Chilean vocalist who comes from a family of musicians with prominent places in the history of Chilean music, with both national and international success. In his youth, he began his foray into metal and rock, but in 2016, James took part in the popular TV show THE VOICE CHILE 2, where his participation generated a stir thanks to his outstanding vocal performances. Since then, he has become a more active member of the larger hard rock/metal community and with Frontiers, he has released one solo album, "Wanted Man" and an album, "The Mirror Star" with Chilean metal band Sinner's Blood, whom are also currently preparing their second album for release.

Francesco Savino is an Italian guitarist and songwriter who founded the up-and-coming gothic metal band False Memories in 2015.  That band's latest release, "The Last Night Of Fall," (2021) was met with praise from both fans and metal media alike. The band also released a covers EP, "Echoes Of A Reflection" and a live EP, "Live Until The Twilight" since the release of their last studio album. With his songwriting partner Rossella Moscatello (who is the lead vocalist for False Memories), Franceso has also been contributing songs to Frontiers and is working on the next False Memories album.
Jimi Bell is an established hard rock guitarist who is currently a member of both House Of Lords and Autograph, and, of course, Demons Down. Bell, a Connecticut native, was inducted into the New England Music Hall in 2020. In addition to his work with various bands over the years, he has done a wealth of studio work for sports outlets like ESPN, WWE, Impact Wrestling, and NASCAR. Bell is an official endorser of Roberts Guitar,  Viper Guitars, Charvel Guitars, PVX Guitar, Funk Guitars, Ovation Guitars, GHS Strings, Rocktron, Randall, Marshall Amps (Europe), and KickAss Cables. He is also the inventor of the SHREDNECK.

Chuck Wright is an American bassist, best known as a member of Quiet Riot. He originally joined Quiet Riot in 1982, playing bass on the tracks "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)" and "Don't Wanna Let You Go," as well as singing background vocals on all tracks from the 1983 album Metal Health. In addition to Quiet Riot, whom he has played with intermittently, Wright has played with Giuffria, House Of Lords, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, and Heaven & Earth, to name a few, over the years. 

Drummer Ken Mary’s lengthy career in music has seen him play in a wide variety of genres that showcased his wide ranging skills at the instrument. In addition to being a drummer, Ken is also an engineer, writer, vocalist, and award winning producer. He has sold a combined 5 million (plus) albums globally over the entirety of his body of work. His drumming can be heard on albums from Alice Cooper, Jordan Rudess, Northern Light Orchestra, Kip Winger, House of Lords, The Beach Boys, Impelliterri, Don Dokken, Fifth Angel, Bonfire, and many more, and of course, very soon, Demons Down.

 

Tracklisting:
1. I Stand
2. Disappear
3. Down In A Hole
4. On My Way To You
5. Where Will Our Tears Fall?
6. Book Of Love
7. Stranded In The Middle Of Nowhere
8. Follow Me
9. To The Edge Of The World
10. Search Over The Horizon
11. Only The Brave

Line-Up:
James Robledo - Vocals
Jimi Bell - Guitars
Francesco Savino - Guitars
Chuck Wright - Bass
Ken Mary - Drums

Additional Musicians:
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, Guitars, Backing Vocals

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2023 by Stefan

[KarpetRydOFunk]

Sounds good, though. The kid's got chops. They said he's got a solo album released through Frontiers? Why have I not heard of him before? 

[whiplash1972]

On 1/18/2023 at 1:16 AM, KarpetRydOFunk said:

Sounds good, though. The kid's got chops. They said he's got a solo album released through Frontiers? Why have I not heard of him before? 

I didn't remember this one either, but here it is, samples and all: Robledo - Wanted Man CD. Heavy Harmonies Discography

[Stefan]

New video for 'Disappear'.

 

 

[Stefan]

New lyric video for 'Where Will Our Tears Fall?'.

 

 

[tobi is an animal]

shaping up to be another bland ADV affair. 

[tobi is an animal]

On 1/18/2023 at 2:16 AM, KarpetRydOFunk said:

Sounds good, though. The kid's got chops. They said he's got a solo album released through Frontiers? Why have I not heard of him before? 

His "solo album" was written by ADV and as expected it's bland as fuck, imo. 

[KarpetRydOFunk]

7 hours ago, tobi is an animal said:

His "solo album" was written by ADV and as expected it's bland as fuck, imo. 

Ah. So that's why I've not heard of him. ;}

[auslander]

Pretty great rhythm section on this album though. Obviously going for that early House of Lords sound. And the band name is from a HoL album. I know ADV is involved but I do like that first track. May check this out some more.

[KarpetRydOFunk]

On 3/8/2023 at 10:43 AM, tobi is an animal said:

shaping up to be another bland ADV affair. 

Yeah, kinda forgettable. 

[Eric3]

The first song sounded like HoL until the guy started singing - great pipes but obviously not at all similar to James Christian. The second song is ADV by the numbers and I'm guessing was written long before this project was conceived.

Probably gonna pass on this one.

[auslander]

4 hours ago, Eric3 said:

The first song sounded like HoL until the guy started singing - great pipes but obviously not at all similar to James Christian. The second song is ADV by the numbers and I'm guessing was written long before this project was conceived.

Probably gonna pass on this one.

Agree on both points.

[melodicrock]

Terrible choice in vocalist. Same as that Skills project. Frontiers are just finding jobs for their fellow Italians at this point.