This week we continue exhuming the early days of Night Demon by bringing you part 1 of “Night Demon,” the title track from the debut EP. The story picks up on April 22, 2011, when the band (then still known as Ancient Evil) entered the studio with producer/engineer Armand John Anthony to record their 4-song EP. Jarvis and Armand describe the session in detail, including gear, recording goals and techniques, performances, and Armand’s role in capturing the old-school sound. Jarvis explains the th...
Jul 16, 2021•50 min•Ep. 51
This week we resume the story of the Birth of the Demon, picking up after the band’s first official rehearsal yielded their first original song, “Night Demons”. You’ll hear about their decision to write and record an EP’s worth of material, with a minimalistic look and packaging. The band members speak candidly on the record about their stage names, including the sources of those names and their reasons for adopting them. But the focal point of the episode is the three rehearsals in March and Ap...
Jul 09, 2021•55 min•Ep. 50
This week we bring you the Birth of the Demon. When Night Demon was spawned at a jam session in a warehouse in Ventura, California on March 5, 2011, it was not conceived as a serious thing, or even as a side project. The members all had other musical priorities, including Jarvis who was completing the first full-length Heartbeats album. The band (then called The Chalice) was intended only as an outlet for their shared love of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a decidedly “uncool” style at the...
Jul 02, 2021•52 min•Ep. 49
In this episode, we reach the culmination of our six-week exploration into the Roots of the Demon. The narrative resumes in 2010, when Jarvis saw the revamped four-piece lineup of The Fucking Wrath, featuring new lead guitarist Brent Woodward. The two met that night and immediately bonded over their shared love of the NWOBHM. Eventually, The Fucking Wrath began rehearsing at a warehouse adjacent to Armand's recording studio. By chance, Jarvis accompanied The Fucking Wrath to Hollywood for one of...
Jun 25, 2021•52 min•Ep. 48
This week we continue our in-depth exploration of the individual musical and life journeys that culminated in the creation of Night Demon. We pick up the story in Ocean City, Maryland, where a chance meeting resulted in Dusty meeting Shane Mac. Together, the two of them formed New Liberty, an ass kicking riff rock band hellbent on living the '80s rock star dream. After another chance meeting at a singer/songwriter event, New Liberty were invited to Ventura, California to record a demo. Still cha...
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 47
In this episode, we bring you part 4 of "The Roots of the Demon," tracing the lineage and musical pedigree of each member through various precursor bands predating Night Demon. As the story resumes, Jarvis found an outlet for his love of horror-punk by joining Hybrid Moments, essentially a Misfits cover band with original songs, and gigging locally during downtime from No Motiv. Meanwhile, Armand became heavily immersed in recording work following the split-up of From Satellite. One of the bands...
Jun 11, 2021•53 min•Ep. 46
In this episode, we continue exploring the Night Demon members' musical history and precursor bands. We resume the story after the demise of Black Opal. Jarvis hooked up with a band called No Motiv as tour manager while exploring a career with Guitar Center, before abandoning corporate life and going all in by joining No Motiv as bass player. Meanwhile, Armand joined a band called From Satellite formed as a splinter entity from No Motiv, first on bass and then on guitar. In From Satellite, Arman...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 45
This week's episode is "Roots of the Demon, Part 2." We continue our exploration of the formative years of Night Demon's current members by telling the story of Jarvis's first band, Black Opal. You will hear in detail from Jarvis and other surviving members how Black Opal came into being, their obsession with Metallica, how they dedicated themselves to constant practicing, and how they struggled to get gigs because of their young age and the out-of-fashion nature of their unbridled heavy metal a...
May 28, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 44
Welcome to part 1 of "Roots of the Demon," in which we transport you way back in time to explore the band members' pre-Night Demon musical histories. For this episode, each of the three current Night Demon members walks you through his childhood, his introduction to the world of music, his gateway musical discoveries, and his formative years of learning to play an instrument. The narrative is unflinchingly candid, as the listener is granted full access to the back stories of Armand, Dusty and Ja...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 43
On May 2, 2021, Night Demon hosted a Zoom conference call for 14 lucky podcast subscribers, under the premise of "Ask the Demon Live." This episode covers the second half of that momentous congregation. Tune in to hear breaking news about the status of Night Demon festival appearances, writing and recording plans, tour itineraries, and a potential live concert DVD. The guys spill the beans on the content of the forthcoming studio album, and dish on a range of topics from how they are working cre...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 42
On May 2, 2021, Night Demon hosted a Zoom conference call for 14 lucky podcast subscribers, under the premise of "Ask the Demon Live." This episode airs part one of that Zoom chat, including a fistful of exclusive, breaking news items relating to the contents and release date of the new album, rescheduled tour dates, the forthcoming ultimate edition of the Night Demon EP, the High Roller reissue of the EP out now, plans for a compilation of cover tunes, and the like. You'll also hear a multitude...
May 07, 2021•58 min•Ep. 41
This week concludes our six-part investigation of the Heavy Metal Mixtape, a limited-edition cassette released on Night Demon Records in October 2015. Find out about a planned volume 2 of the Mixtape that - at least, thus far - has not come to fruition, and the improbable Bryan Adams dimension of that project. Discover how Iron Grip Records is keeping the cassette compilation alive in the form of periodic Mystery Metal Mixtapes. Hear the words of the artist responsible the cover artwork and layo...
Apr 30, 2021•59 min•Ep. 40
This week we bring you part 5 of our exploration of the Heavy Metal Mixtape, a limited edition cassette released on Night Demon Records in October 2015. The band explains why there was no pre-order or pre-release hype for the Mixtape, and how that meshes with Night Demon's marketing philosophy. They also talk about the importance of featuring bands on the Mixtape with whom Night Demon has a direct relationship. The bulk of the episode is devoted to the Mixtape contributions of Visigoth, Savage M...
Apr 23, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 39
Join us for part 4 of our ongoing deep dive into the time capsule known as the Heavy Metal Mixtape, a limited-edition cassette released on Night Demon Records in October 2015. You'll learn about the challenges of getting a cassette manufactured in 2015 and how the stick-to-your-guns philosophy paid dividends for National Audio Company. The focal point of this episode is the Mixtape contributions of Steel Prophet, Black Death Resurrected and Midnight Chaser. For each band, you will hear detailed ...
Apr 16, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 38
This week we bring you part 3 of our ongoing exploration of the Heavy Metal Mixtape limited edition cassette released on Night Demon Records in October 2015. The guys reflect on the lost art of making mixtapes and taking the listener on a journey through painstaking song selection, sequencing, flow and sound clips, in a way that today's streaming playlists simply cannot replicate. You'll hear about a pair of movie soundclips included on the Mixtape. And the song contributions of Walpyrgus, Hirax...
Apr 09, 2021•56 min•Ep. 37
This week we continue with part 2 of our in-depth analysis of the Heavy Metal Mixtape limited edition cassette released on Night Demon Records in October 2015. Jarvis alludes to some of the ones that got away, bands who declined to participate in the project. A mysterious soundclip is explained. Then we dive deep into the contributions of Blade Killer, Bat, Raven, and Spellcaster. For each track, you'll learn how the band is connected to Night Demon and why the song was selected for the Mixtape....
Apr 02, 2021•57 min•Ep. 36
This week's episode is the first of multiple installments discussing the Heavy Metal Mixtape, which Night Demon released on October 31, 2015. Jarvis and Dusty describe the circumstances and thought processes that inspired the Mixtape, how the band relationships and camaraderie were critical to the project, and the reasons why there are no exclusive tracks on this compilation. You will learn why "Screams in the Night" was selected as the first proper song on the Mixtape. The remainder of the epis...
Mar 26, 2021•58 min•Ep. 35
This week's episode is part 2 of the extraordinary story of Satan's Den, a superfan's garage in the cornfields of Hilliard, Ohio. Find out how Night Demon came to be booked to play at a house party in the middle of nowhere not once, but three times, and how Satan's Den got its name. Hear from the Ohio faithful how Night Demon and Satan's Den galvanized the scene and created a rallying point for the Ohio heavy metal community to unite. There is detailed discussion of Night Demon's second show...
Mar 19, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 34
This episode explores the connection between Night Demon and Satan's Den, the legendary live music venue in Hilliard, Ohio. You'll learn about the Den's eccentric owner, who is also the curator of the largest collection of Night Demon memorabilia in the world. Find out why Satan's Den is the most badass house party a band could ever play, and how it became Night Demon's home away from home. The guys describe how Satan's Den united Night Demon's Columbus and Cleveland fan bases, and how it was in...
Mar 12, 2021•58 min•Ep. 33
This week, we continue our deep dive into the song "Run for Your Life" off Curse of the Damned. You'll hear about the harrowing near-death experience that inspired the lyrics, as told by Jarvis, former Night Demon drummer John Crerar, and others. Jarvis walks you through the lyrics line by line to reveal hidden meanings heretofore known only to the band members themselves. The band also discuss the structure of "Run for Your Life," the solo section, and Armand and Dusty's take on the track. And ...
Mar 05, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 32
This episode is part 1 of our coverage of "Run for Your Life," track 9 on Curse of the Damned . You'll learn about the origins of the song dating back to May 2013 and hear snippets of early live versions. The guys talk about how the Jarvis/Armand/Dusty version of the song differs from the Jarvis/Brent/John iteration as originally conceived. Hear them reflect on how "Run for Your Life" captured a moment in time in the evolution of Night Demon. This episode also explores in detail the Run for Your...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 31
This week, we conclude the two-part deep dive into the song "Darkness Remains." The band picks up the story by providing recording details for the song, including locations, gear, tones, and even a click track. Armand walks you through the painstaking composition of the song's epic closing guitar solo, part-by-part, including note choices, timing, and why the live version differs from the studio version. Dusty explains how, from a drumming perspective, this song is a perfect example of knowing w...
Feb 19, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 30
This week's episode is part one of our deep dive into the song "Darkness Remains." Find out about the genesis of the track, how it helps set Night Demon apart from other bands, and why the guys think it is important to explore new sonic territory. Listen to early demo versions of the song. Learn how and why "Darkness Remains" became the album's title track, and how it advances an ongoing Night Demon tradition. Dusty talks about the odd time signature and unusual drumming elements. The origins of...
Feb 12, 2021•51 min
This week's episode concludes the four-part Cirith Ungol Story. We pick up the tale as Cirith Ungol join forces with Night Demon to play concerts around the world in 2017, including triumphant gigs at Keep It True and Up the Hammers festivals. You will learn how Armand came to fill in for Cirith Ungol at a series of high-profile European gigs, including Frost and Fire London, on two days' notice. The guys take you through the "Witch's Game" single in 2018, and then describe the writing and recor...
Feb 05, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 28
In part 3 of the Cirith Ungol Story, we pick up the tale with the resoundingly successful signing session at Frost and Fire I in 2015. You'll learn how Cirith Ungol cautiously inched towards a reunion, from Robert Garven becoming reacquainted with the drums, to jam sessions with Jim Barraza and Greg Lindstrom, to the goosebump moment when Tim Baker picked up a microphone and belted out "Frost and Fire" once again. The Cirith Ungol members discuss Night Demon's role in helping them convince thems...
Jan 29, 2021•59 min•Ep. 27
Join the legions for part 2 of the Cirith Ungol Story. This episode focuses on the dark years. Rob, Tim and Jim talk about the creatively rewarding Paradise Lost album, their ensuing frustration and disillusionment at the lack of label support or commercial interest, and ultimately the dissolution of Cirith Ungol in 1992. You'll hear the tragic story of brilliantly talented co-founding guitarist Jerry Fogle's death. The remaining members candidly describe how bitterness and disappointment pushed...
Jan 22, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 26
This week's episode is part 1 of the Cirith Ungol Story. All successful bands stand on the shoulders of giants. In Night Demon's case, the "giants" in question include Cirith Ungol, the Ventura, CA heavy metal pioneers whose history dates back to 1972. You'll hear the ND guys talk about what makes Cirith Ungol unique, how they became aware of Cirith Ungol, and how the band was perceived in their hometown during Jarvis's formative musical years. Members of Cirith Ungol will walk you through the s...
Jan 15, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 25
This week we bring you the first of an occasional series of episodes detailing tales from the road. The Night Demon guys reminisce about their 5-week jaunt across the United States in early spring 2017 with Canadian heavy metal legends Anvil. You'll hear what it was like to be on tour with Robb Reiner and Lips: the misunderstandings, the misadventures, the quirks, the laughs, and most importantly the mutual respect and brotherhood forged from that experience. Night Demon also recount some of the...
Jan 08, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 24
Welcome to the 2020 Year in Review episode. The guys compare their initial plans going into the year versus the pandemic reality. Notwithstanding lockdowns and quarantines, the year was fast-paced and productive for Night Demon. Among the topics covered in the month-by-month 2020 rundown are recording activities in Armand's studio, the band's lone official gig of the year, the scourge of Covid cancellations, Jarvis's health scare, Night Demon beer, Dustin's drum-making activities, the Cirith Ung...
Jan 01, 2021•2 hr 30 min•Ep. 23
This is the Night Demon Christmas Special. For this episode, we try a different format: a roundtable discussion via Zoom call with Night Demon and your host, Nesbit. The holiday cheer just keeps coming as the guys talk about everything from podcast plans for 2021, the fabled "Jarchives," and even Dusty's pro wrestler name. You'll learn why there are no Night Demon Xmas songs, but you'll also hear holiday music from the members' past endeavors. The guys reminisce about their own memorable Christm...
Dec 25, 2020•52 min•Ep. 22
