If you are a fan of melodic rock it would seem Scandinavia’s the place to be these days. In all its forms these guys have got it taped at the mo. I’ve heard a lot of stuff from this part of the world in recent years and to be honest there’s rarely anything totally duff. Ok so that doesn’t mean it’s all good either but you’ve got to admire the sheer output coming out of Nordic studios.  

Saint Deamon are yet another very accomplished bunch of musos from that part of the world (Swedish/Norwegian) but, unlike some of their contemporaries, have an ace up their sleeve in Norwegian vocalist Jan Thore Grefstad. I’m surprised this guy hasn’t re-surfaced before as he is a bit of a find. Thing is he once replaced Jorn Lande in one of TNT guitarist Ronni Le Treko’s bands so he must be half decent! He’s the sort of guy that would complement someone like Malmsteen.  

Sonically they come over like a cross between Malmsteen’s more commercial moments and Europe’s heavier stuff. Plus there is a bit of TNT in there as you might expect given the singer’s CV. 

‘No Mans Land’ sounds very ‘Yngwie’ circa ‘80’s Joe Lynn Turner (but without the guitar histrionics) and ‘My Sorrow’ is a Europe style power ballad that will have you waving your Mobile Phone’s in the air like you’re inside some monolithic ‘enormadome’. Both prove that Saint Deamon really know their stuff but also that maybe they are also stuck a little in the past. 

However if Europe can continue to defy the critics and carve out a niche for themselves then I don’t see why Saint Deamon can’t find an audience too. ‘In Shadows Lost From The Brave’ is an enjoyable enough romp without ever quite reaching the heights it promises to. This lot have potential so we’ll have to wait and see. A slightly more contemporary sound might help.

Let us know your views on In Shadows Lost From The Brave

Track Listing

The Exodus
My Judas
In Shadows Lost From The Brave
My Heart
The Burden
No Mans Land
Ride Forever
Black Symphony
Deamons
The Brave Never Bleeds
My Sorrow
Run For Your Life

Line Up

Jan Thore Grefstad - Vocals
Toya Johansson - Guitars
Nobby Noberg - Bass
Ronny Milianowicz - Drums