Review Summary: Excellent rough and tumble Mercyful Fate worship
Demon Spell’s first proper album directly follows up on the Mercyful Fate emulations last seen on their Evil Nights EP in 2024. The band’s musicianship keeps up a feral edge as the guitars are furious, the vocals execute their King Diamond wails with thick reverb, and the shuffling gallops have a speed metal undercurrent that suggests about as much influence from Motörhead, Jag Panzer, and Venom. Tracks like “Curse Of The Undead,” “High On Sacrifice,” and “Dive The Hellfire” are especially intense demonstrations of the method in action.
But even though Blessed Be The Dark isn’t that drastically long at thirty-four minutes, I do appreciate how a little extra time translates to some atmospheric flourishes. “As Lucifer Smiles” may be an energetic start with a cool layered chorus, but it also gets a rousing buildup that keeps from getting too out of hand. “Hexes And Horrors” offers similar on top of a thematic bout of organ while the one-two of “Premonitions” and the closing title track is its own dramatic culmination. “The Tolling” also stands out for a more mid-tempo chug and bellowed singalong closer to a darker Judas Priest.
As someone who didn’t find as much that stood out on Demon Spell’s EP, it’s great to see how their raw occult metal really comes together with Blessed Be The Dark. Their rough and tumble approach was already solidified and the stronger songwriting just makes it that much more effective. It’s an easy recommendation for Mercyful Fate fans though with enough of a distinct identity for it to also sit well with fans of groups like Cruel Force and Bewitcher.
