Origin:	New Zealand
Genres:	Death Metal
DISBANDED

Last update/review:	December 8, 2001

Demoniac

New Zealand's Demoniac entered the metal world with Prepare For War, which by most accounts is rather basic black metal. Personnel problems ensued, and finally the core of the band, Behemoth and Heimdall, decided to relocate to England and start afresh. This resulted in a stylistic change that is quite evident on the band's next two albums -- Behemoth has completely retained the shrieking vocal style, but the music no longer has any real connection to black metal. Instead, the focus is on frenzied speed metal riffing, replete with leads and solos galore, often reminiscient of more recent German power metal bands. The contrast between the suprisingly upbeat and catchy riffing and the vicious vocals really makes this band stand out -- really a quite unique sound, most prevalent on the recent The Fire And The Wind. Despite the band's image as a party band not to be taken seriously, there is real talent at work here. They were reportedly broken up by summer of 2001.