Artist: Saint Daemon  
   Title: In The Shadows Lost From The Brave
   Label: Frontiers Records

All the best European melodic rock seems to be emanating from Scandanavian countries of late and Saint Daemon continue to uphold that form.  Saint Daemon are another bunch of very accomplished muscians, featuring Ronny Milianowicz (drums) and Nobby Nobeberg (bass) both ex-Dionysus, guitar virtuoso Toya Johansson and ace in the hole, Jan Thore Grefstad (vocals) ex-Highland Glory.  Jan has also previously played in Ronni Le Tekro’s side band Wild Willy’s Gang, succeeding the great Jorn Lande so he must be something special. 

The album opens with an eerie acoustic/keyboard piece, 'The Exodus' which leads into the narration for 'My Judas', showcasing Jan Thore’s phenomenal vocals, imagine a cross between Michael Kiske/Tony Harnell. The song is a mid-tempo rocker with some deft guitarwork from Toya and a quite a catchy chorus.

This leads us into the title track, 'In The Shadows Lost From The Brave'.  This song is totally Helloween, even the vocal performance is as close to Michael Kiske as you’ll ever hear.  The song frantically races to a middle eight then the solo kicks in and you’d swear it really is a Helloween song.

'My Heart' kicks off with a machine gun style riff before giving way to Jan Thore’s vocals.  The song comes across like TNT and Europe, heavy and very melodic, with a killer guitar solo.

Next up is 'The Burden', heavy and evil best describe this song, although with Thore hitting the high range, Beelzebub ain’t about to come calling. Another imaginative solo from Toya.

'No Mans Land', hits a groove from the off, sounds like they are calling Viking Warriors to war. Yngwie would die for a song like this.  'Ride Forever' continues in a similar vein, the chorus is very chant-a-long but once again the guitar solo is just fantastic.

'Black Symphony' brings us back to Helloween, very 'I Want Out' at the beginning, another killer vocal performance.  The album continues with 'Daemons', standard metal fare with great vocals and guitar.

'The Brave Never Bleeds', takes us into Helloween territory again, galloping along with a solid rythmn and a fantastic melodic chorus, leading into total Iron Maiden rifferama near the end.

'My Sorrow' is the peniltimate song on the album, opening with some beautiful guitar and bass work from Toya and Nobby.  This is, of course, the power ballad of the album, very TNT/Europe with a fantastic vocal performance and great all-round musicianship.  The strongest song on the album and would have benefitted from being earlier in the running order.

And so we come to the end of the album with 'Run For Your Life'.  This song has an 80’s vibe about it and features another fine vocal performance and solid muscianship with a sing-a-long chorus. 

If you love bands like TNT, Helloween, Europe and Malmsteen then you’ll this.  The musicianship is top quality, Jan Thore’s vocal are impressive throughout and Toya just shreds across every song.  Sonically, this is not a total melodic rock album, it’s heavy, but with a commercial touch and melodic sensibilities stamped on each song.  I’ve loved playing this album and love hearing new talent.  The band have shown they have the potential to produce even better albums in the future.

*Review by Brassy

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