There are thousands of bands similar to Attick Demons out there. Not just stylistically, mind you (Maidenisms abound, once again), but also in terms of groups that manage(d) to remain ‘active’ over a long stretch of time without producing much material. Thanks to a wealth of independent labels spending inordinate amounts of time digging up rare obscurities, and also through the glorious and unboundless magic of the internet, the once seemingly impossible likelihood of procuring an arcane Portuguese power metal full-length that took 15 years to fully manifest is now only a few simple clicks away.
Unless, of course, you don’t give a shit about Iron Maiden, or have a hard time imagining departing with cash for yet another band paying homage to the NWOBHM’s Darlings of the Dueling Guitar. Because, as mentioned, Attick Demons is all about Iron Maiden. In fact, I don’t think there’s ever been a case where a person more dramatically managed to channel all three primary Maiden vocalists in one sitting: the rawness of Di’Anno, the gruffness of Blaze Bayley, and most arrantly, the vividness of (latter-era) Dickinson when things are really belted out.
But just as some might find the idea of hearing a Bruce Di’Bayley intriguing, that same boon can be damaging if there’s a distinct lack of originality, or if the instrumental chops ain’t up to snuff. In the case of Attick Demons, I’d say they adequately straddle the line between pleasure and pain: Atlantis flashes moments that will surely please the traditional power metal aficionado (“Meeting the Queen” being the personal highlight), but could also use a dynamic shot in the arm for some of the inert songwriting that bogs down a few of these tunes. The material is competently played, but the delivery comes across more No Prayer for the Dying as opposed to Powerslave, to further bolster our Eddieing theme.
In the end, I’d say these guys come across as the type of dudes who love hearing Iron Maiden and love playing the style for anyone within earshot of their local pub; there are no expectations of becoming ‘the next big thing.’ That’s obviously perfectly fine, but during another banner year with so many great albums fighting for your buck, Atlantis is exactly the type of record that’ll comfortably sit in the back seat.
