Ventura, California’s true metal heroes Night Demon are currently electrifying audiences around the world as they tour relentlessly in support of their 2023 magnum opus, ‘Outsider’, one of the best denim and leather metal albums of the 2020s. Along the way, the band have heard loud and clear from fans worldwide demanding physical copies of albums from Night Demon’s illustrious back catalog, including the legendary debut album ‘Curse of the Damned’ and the incendiary follow-up, ‘Darkness Remains’. Unfortunately, both albums have been out of print (at least, in certain formats) for quite some time, leaving collectors’ desires unfulfilled. So, the power trio decided they could no longer ignore these insistent, growing cries. On October 4, 2024, SPV/Steamhammer will proudly bring these new and improved Deluxe & Expanded Editions of ‘Curse of the Damned’ and ‘Darkness Remains’ to European shores to the certain delight of vinyl and CD aficionados looking to round out their Night Demon collections.
Originally released in January 2015, ‘Curse of the Damned’ refined and expounded on Night Demon’s signature sound as debuted on their self-titled EP a few years earlier. It also inspired fanatical devotion amongst the heavy metal faithful, garnering widespread critical acclaim and being voted the #1 album of 2015 by listeners of WCJU’s Metal on Metal radio show in Cleveland, Ohio. To promote the record, Night Demon hit the killing road for the better part of two years, crisscrossing both sides of the Atlantic Ocean on multiple treks, as well as Mexico, Latin America and South America.
The 2024 Deluxe & Expanded Edition of ‘Curse of the Damned’ showcases the entire original album, freshly remastered by Night Demon guitarist Armand John Anthony. It also includes a pair of bonus tracks compiled from various prior editions, in the form of a cover of Riot’s ‘Road Racin’ and a re-recording of Night Demon’s classic ‘The Chalice’. This special reissue of ‘Curse of the Damned’ is available on blood-red vinyl, as well as CD housed in a jewel case with an O card and fold-out poster.
Initially seeing the light of day in April 2017, ‘Darkness Remains’ found Night Demon forcefully silencing any speculation of a sophomore slump or a one-album wonder. ‘Darkness Remains’ delivered all the expected NWOBHM-inspired thrills and chills for the Night Demon faithful. It also represented a bold step forward, as the band honed their songwriting chops, developed more of an individual sound, sharpened their attack, and took some chances along the way. The album took Night Demon to the next level both creatively and commercially, and represented a watershed moment in the trio’s storied career.
The 2024 Deluxe & Expanded Edition of ‘Darkness Remains’ presents the original album in its entirety, buttressed by a new remastering job. In terms of extras, this version brings together a pair of songs lifted as bonus material for various territories on previous editions of the album, including a raucous cover of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ and a mighty run through Black Sabbath’s ‘Turn Up the Night’. The Deluxe Edition is available on marbled red/yellow vinyl, as well as a CD packaged in a jewel case with an O card and poster.
Night Demon support the mighty Cirith Ungol at their last UK show on 16th September at Islington Academy, London. Both reissues will be released by SPV on October 4th.
Check out this banger from ‘Darkness Remains’ right now and prepare to be blown away!