Ironically, DEMONLORD "Adventures In Hell Pt 1" is both breathtaking and nauseating. On the one hand, the music is amazing; from the moment the album began I became completely captivated. Although the style isn't exactly unique, these guys are really creative and know what they are doing. I was highly impressed with the fast, catchy riffs, smart yet very melodic compositions and masterful guitarmanship especially on the part of Andras Nagy (who by the way, is a delightful person).

On the down side, the vocals leave a lot to be desired and are the sole reason this album doesn't rate a total 10! I was really hoping for strong, melodic epic vocals to accompany and even accentuate the music. I realize they can't all be James Rivera, Geoff Tate, Bruce Dickinson or even Hansi Kürsch, but a vocalist should have some ability to sing. I literally had to turn the volume down in my car at stoplights because everywhere I looked, children were crying, mothers were rolling up their windows - screaming obscenities and fathers were threatening me with physical violence. It was terrible but I couldn't blame them! All kidding aside, this really is one of the weakest, most annoying vocalists I have ever heard in this genre; even at a low volume, I cringed more than a few times and found that I was more anxious than usual for a break or solo and at some points I even skipped over the verses altogether. Had he been a dog that howled thus, they would have hanged him.

I haven't had a chance to check out their earlier demos or their latest album "Helltrust" and with the same front man aboard it is unlikely that I will. It's really unfortunate because I cannot say enough about this band from a purely musical perspective. My advice to the band is to get another vocalist. If that is not a possibility, perhaps instrumental concept albums wouldn't be a terrible idea! (Online December 20, 2002)

Guest Reviewer Amy Hunley