‘Demons Down’, the third House Of Lords album represented widespread changes for the band. Apart from Christian and Giuffria, the rest of the band is new.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: House Of Lords
ALBUM: Demons Down
LABEL: Victory
SERIAL: 383-480 002-2
YEAR: 1992
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: James Christian – vocals, guitar * Dennis Chick – guitar, backing vocals * Sean McNabb – bass, backing vocals * Tommy Aldridge – drums, backing vocals * Gregg Giuffria – keyboards, backing vocals
Additional Musicians: Tim Pierce, Danny Jacobs – guitar * Paul Stanley, David Glen Eisley, Billy Trudel, Aina – backing vocals * Randy Waldman – string arrangements
TRACK LISTING: 01 O Father * 02 Demons Down * 03 What’s Forever For? * 04 Talkin’ ‘Bout Love * 05 Spirit Of Love * 06 Down Down Down * 07 Metallic Blue * 08 Inside You * 09 Johnny’s Got A Mind Of His Own * 10 Can’t Fight Love
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
There’s a couple of missing House Of Lords articles that we need to cover off. ‘Demons Down’ is one of those, so too 2004’s ‘The Power And The Myth’, though I’m certain Luigi wrote an article on that album at some point in the past, buggered if I can find it though.
‘Demons Down’, the third House Of Lords album represented widespread changes for the band. Apart from Christian and Giuffria, the rest of the band is new, though their names are well known throughout the melodic rock industry. Also gone was Simmons Records. Gene Simmons jacking it in as a record label owner, HOL moving to Polygram offshoot Victory Records instead.
Despite some good moments on this set, it would probably rank third best of the first three HOL albums I would suggest, but only just. Produced by David Thoener, ‘Demons Down’ is very well produced, no problems there, but as we all know what happened in 1992 and beyond, melodic rock just wasn’t having the same impact on the music buying public as it did five years previously.
The Songs
All of the songs were co-written by Christian and Giuffria, with renowned songwriter Mark Baker also joining in on the co-writing credits for a majority of songs.
The album makes a strong and dramatic entrance with the intense ‘O Father’. The song itself talks of a godless society; not so much about Mankind falling off the rails, but that God and Heaven are no longer listening. Heavy stuff so soon into the album. ‘Demons Down’ the song has a Tesla like intro, a smokey rocker which talks of courage and taking chances.
‘What’s Forever For’ features those trademark HOL melodies, and is played in a semi-ballad. Pretty likeable song truth be told. ‘Talkin’ Bout Love’ is power rock for the masses, an immense workout with everybody firing on all sixes. Good to see Steve ‘Zeus’ Johnstad (ex Mayday) as being one of the co-writers for this song. Fantastic stuff.
‘Down Down Down’ is just about on a par with ‘Talkin’ Bout Love’ in the power stakes. This one is really amped, and sounds wickedly heavy under a decent set of headphones. ‘Metallic Blue’ better known as a Steelhouse Lane track is first heard here on this album. That’s because it’s a Christian, Giuffria, Baker and Mike Slamer co-write.
‘Inside You’ is another of those typical soaring HOL ballads which they do ever so well. I never get sick of listening to songs like this. ‘Johnny’s Got A Mind Of His Own’ is a bit of a rebel rouser, attitude wise think Saints And Sinners but without out the super sharp razor edge those Canucks had. ‘Can’t Fight Love’ is always very likeable, played in a style akin to fellow late 80’s legends Winger.
In Summary
Without doubt, there are some heavy-hitters on this album, and it really does land right in the middle of melodic hard rock for 1992 It’s a pity that American audiences in particular weren’t listening. I never saw any charts figures for the album, but reading between the lines, and given the musical climate, I’ll guess they weren’t that good.
This would be the end of the HOL era with Gregg Giuffria, the band opting to close up shop later on in 1992. The second era of the band officially restarted again in 2004, and continues on to this day. As a general statement, All three HOL albums from 1988-1992 should be in your CD collection.
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