Saturday Night Satan – All Things Black
Release Date: 15th March 2024 (Digital), 29th March 2024 (Physical)
Label: Made of Stone Recordings
Bandcamp
Genre: Hard Rock, Occult Rock, Heavy Metal, Gothic Metal, 70s 80s 90s Rock.
FFO: Jess and the Ancient Ones, Witchcraft, Bloody Hammers, Lucifer.
Review By: Mark Waight
Saturday Night Satan were a completely new band to me when I was handed their debut album All-Things Black to review early last week but now after several listens, they feel just like old friends who have been around forever. When you give Saturday Night Satan’s tremendous album All Things Black a spin there is something really comforting about this genre blending music that resonates with the listener as they somehow manage to combine more than just a touch of old school style whilst still offering something new and exciting too.
Saturday Night Satan hail from Greece (which seems to be a real hot bed for Metal talent currently) is based around the core duo of Kate Soulthorn (vocals) and Jim Kotsis (bass, guitars and backing vocals). The live incarnation of the band draws upon the vast pool of talent from the Greek underground scene to deliver a show.
Opening song 5Am (which is not a time I am familiar with these days) boldly introduces us to the band with a modern sounding hard rock song that pays tribute to the night still being young at this ungodly hour. I wish!
Rule with Fire ups the anti with some hard riffing and deep bass chords to compliment a 70s flavoured and blues themed track with a groovy touch of psychedelia thrown in for good measure. Following on is the superb Devil in Disguise with a smattering of something lighter, brighter along with some far out and razor-sharp guitar playing. Cool Man!
The title track of All Things Black is a much more up-to-date thing altogether, with its quicker pace and electronic keyboards being melded seamlessly with some delicious gothic metal and a big dash of occult rock to deliver something altogether much darker. Lurking in the Shadows continues the darker thread as it weaves beautifully between a sinister and haunting bass vibe fused with a sublime vocal performance from Kate Soulthorn and a traditional metal tune.
By the River takes things down a notch or two with a lovely acoustic undercurrent and gentle vocals leading us softly the hand through lovely teasing soundwaves of pure relaxation and joy. Crown of Arrogance picks up the pace and the mood with a hard rocking beat and a good old-fashioned kick ass guitar solo thrown in for good measure.
The broomstick spinning Witches Dance will certainly get you moving as Saturday Night Satan demonstrate they can also shake things up with the best of their contemporaries, too! My favourite track by a wand’s width!
There are some folk elements to closing track Of Love and the Void with an intoxicating cocktail of flute and guitar, charming and enchanting you throughout. This really closes out All Things Black with the style and class you would expect from a band with a much more accomplished history, proving that Saturday Night Satan surely have what it takes to carve out a meaningful career for themselves.
For a debut album, All Things Black is a stunning start and will serve Saturday Night Satan well in building up a good fan base in the worldwide metal community. Every track is stand-alone solid and a thoroughly enjoyable listen on its own right, with Saturday Night Satan successfully mixing the old and the new to very great effect. Give it a spin – highly recommended.
(4.5 / 5)
