Release Date June 19th, 2026
Format CD/LP/Digital
Genre Heavy Metal
Origin Germany/Greece
Devil's Train came together as a hard rock and heavy metal outfit built by experienced names from bands like Mystic Prophecy, Saxon, Stratovarius and Masterplan. Back in 2012, their self-titled debut arrived with a rough-edged hard rock attitude built on heavy riffs, classic groove and the whiskey-soaked spirit of 70s and 80s rock music. Frontman R.D. Liapakis pushed the material with a fiery vocal performance, while the rhythm section of Jörg Michael and Jari Kainulainen gave the album a powerful drive. Years later, the album returns through Fireflash Records with its first vinyl pressing and a new CD edition, giving this release another chance to hit loud speakers and dusty turntables.
"Devil's Train" is the type of album that runs on pure energy and old school hard rock spirit. The riffs come out fast, the choruses are built for shouting back after a few drinks, and the whole album rolls forward with a wild late night atmosphere. Songs like "Fire And Water", "Roll The Dice" and "Devil's Train" hit with big hooks and biker bar heat, while the cover
on "American Woman" throws in a classic rock flavor that fits with the band’s direction. The groove section gives the album a muscular drive, and the guitar work throws sparks all over the place without drifting into empty showing off.
R.D. Liapakis is the real force at the center of this release. His voice has that rough edge and aggressive fire that lifts the material higher whenever the riffs begin to roar. He sounds fully committed through the entire album, giving the songs a rebellious and sweaty hard rock spirit that matches the band’s image perfectly. There is a strong chemistry between all four musicians, and that helps the album avoid sounding like a casual side project thrown together between tours. Some choruses stick immediately while others pass by without the same impact. Even so, the raw drive of the performances and the natural groove of the songwriting pull the album through those moments. The music comes alive most when the band lets the riffs ride loose and loud instead of aiming for radio friendly smoothness.
This reissue is a good reminder of how much fun "Devil's Train" still is after all these years. It captures a band playing with fire in their blood and zero interest in sounding fashionable. The vinyl edition especially suits the dusty, whiskey soaked character of the album, and the songs still sound built for open roads, crowded bars and speakers pushed far into the red.
| 8.0
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