It’s been three long years since Ventura, California’s Night Demon unleashed their second studio album, Darkness Remains. In the interim, the trio brought their old-school metal attack to stages around the world with a fierce and indomitable work ethic. They released an incendiary triple-vinyl live document, Live Darkness. They conquered new territories and fortified existing strongholds both at home and abroad. Now, at long last, Night Demon answer the prayers of their rabid fanbase by unveiling their first new music since April 2017. “Empires Fall” is a quick-hitting, take-no-prisoners track chronicling the demise of the record industry and was Mixed by Josh Newell & mastered by Brad Boatright. Punk legends, Lars Frederiksen and Matt Freeman of Rancid, as well as James Paul Luna (Holy Grail) also contributed background vocals to the track. On the B-side, Night Demon once again pay homage to their British metal roots with a barnstorming version of “Fast Bikes,” a 7” single from 1983 originally recorded by Le Griffe. This unheralded gem of the NWOBHM movement has long been a mainstay of the tape deck in the band’s touring van, and the time was right to give it the full-on Night Demon treatment. The brilliant handpainted cover art by Andrei Bouzikov is the icing on the cake for Empires Fall, evoking images of Godzilla and Mothra terrorizing Tokyo, but with an irrepressible Night Demon twist that dovetails perfectly with the song’s lyrical content. Night Demon, consisting of Jarvis Leatherby (vocals/bass), Armand John Anthony (guitar) and Dusty Squires (drums), now have their sights set firmly on the future. Although the global coronavirus crisis has temporarily grounded their tour plans, the band are plotting their triumphant return to the live arena, including select festival appearances in summer 2020. Empires may fall, but Night Demon still stand tall.