For those who find their eternal sanctuary within the aesthetic of the 80s, let me introduce you to Living Evil. Although this Canadian band was formed fairly recently by Executioner and Blacklung, the musical foundation they draw from was set by punching in ‘1985’ in a DeLorean’s display. It was a period where most things were simply called Heavy Metal by most, yet the groundwork was already being laid for Black Metal, Speed Metal, and Thrash Metal.
That is precisely what Living Evil delivers: Heavy Metal harmonies, dark Black Metal passages, up-tempo Speed Metal moments, and Thrash Metal riffs, appearing as if they’ve emerged from a garage filled with Mercyful Fate and Venom flags and old Slayer and Running Wild posters. This lively collage comes together on both the title track and the second song ‘H.M.G.’, which stands for ‘Holyland Martyr Genocide’. The title track, in particular, with its build-up toward the chorus and the following riff and solo, is a great example of the mixture described above. It moves from early Mercyful Fate to old Master’s Hammer, giving you a good idea of the versatility and charm of this demo.
As for the vocals, they might be a point of discussion; some will be sceptical at first, while others will find them quite interesting. I can imagine some listeners wanting the female vocals to possess a sharper edge of aggression, but they really do fit the demo as it is.
Living Evil is certainly not the “next big thing”, nor will they incite an online hype, but those who appreciate the allure of the 1980s will undoubtedly find much to admire in Living Evil.
