Area 54 - 2-Track Demo
2001
By Mark Bridgeman
This 2-track demo is a sign of something very good to come from London's Area 54, indeed. After their 2000 debut (No Visible Scars - Dreamcatcher Records), A54 have obviously not rested on their laurels. Regular gigging has only strengthened their output, and these two songs - although not straying far from the sound shown on '...Scars' - are solid pieces of Brit metal/rock.
'Living A Lie' has a strong early-Maiden influence, with the band catipulting forwards on a strong, thick-fisted riff which harks back to those days of rocking out for rocking's sake. Lakis' vocals, though not 100% on this demo, are proof of promising things. The rhythm section is faultless, as is the general standard of musicianship on this track.
'Personal Gain', second and last track on the disc, is similar to the first, but with an impressive middle section where Lakis and co-guitarist Steve Martin trade off harmonies in a way that would make Messrs Smith & Murray proud.
Don't think that they're Maiden clones, tho - just imagine the best elements of Maiden mixed with the pub-rock adrenalin of UK's best from the last 2 decades, and you have some idea of how Area 54 sound.
This harks well for their next release which - lord willing - won't be too far away.
****
2001
By Mark Bridgeman
This 2-track demo is a sign of something very good to come from London's Area 54, indeed. After their 2000 debut (No Visible Scars - Dreamcatcher Records), A54 have obviously not rested on their laurels. Regular gigging has only strengthened their output, and these two songs - although not straying far from the sound shown on '...Scars' - are solid pieces of Brit metal/rock.
'Living A Lie' has a strong early-Maiden influence, with the band catipulting forwards on a strong, thick-fisted riff which harks back to those days of rocking out for rocking's sake. Lakis' vocals, though not 100% on this demo, are proof of promising things. The rhythm section is faultless, as is the general standard of musicianship on this track.
'Personal Gain', second and last track on the disc, is similar to the first, but with an impressive middle section where Lakis and co-guitarist Steve Martin trade off harmonies in a way that would make Messrs Smith & Murray proud.
Don't think that they're Maiden clones, tho - just imagine the best elements of Maiden mixed with the pub-rock adrenalin of UK's best from the last 2 decades, and you have some idea of how Area 54 sound.
This harks well for their next release which - lord willing - won't be too far away.
****
