Devil's Train Self-Titled Review
Devil’s Train
Self-Titled Reissue
Fireflash Records
2026
Earlier in April, Fireflash Records dug deep into the vaults and reissued the Self-Titled debut from Devil's Train, originally released back in 2012. Apparently, demand was strong enough to finally warrant a vinyl pressing. I’d never crossed paths with this one before, but that’s the nature of the beast, there’s simply too much music out there to catch everything the first time around.
What makes this release especially noteworthy is the pedigree behind it. Devil’s Train was essentially built as a Hard Rock/Heavy Metal supergroup featuring members tied to bands like MSG, Mystic Prophecy, Saxon, Stratovarius, Masterplan, and Running Wild. Even if the individual names don’t immediately jump out, the collective experience and songwriting chops certainly do once the album starts rolling.
Musically, this thing hits like a runaway freight train. Devil’s Train taps directly into that classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal spirit but injects it with a greasy Southern swagger that gives the songs extra grit and attitude. The riffs are massive, the grooves land with real force, and the entire record explodes with energy from the opening moments. What really seals the deal, though, are the hooks - gigantic arena-ready choruses and melodies that stick instantly without feeling overly polished or sterile.
There’s an unapologetic old-school spirit running through this album that reminds me of early Whitesnake and Deep Purple at times, especially in the bluesy undertones and swagger-heavy riff work. It’s the kind of record built for loud speakers, cold beer, and fist-pumping singalongs. Honestly, had I heard this back in 2012, it probably would’ve landed somewhere in my year-end top ten.
The lone drawback for me is the band’s cover of American Woman. To be fair, the performance itself is excellent - the riffs are thick, punchy, and full of attitude, but the song has simply been covered too many times over the years. No matter how well it’s executed, it’s difficult to get excited about hearing it again when there are so many overlooked gems from that era that could’ve been reinterpreted instead.
Still, that’s a minor complaint on an otherwise killer record. If you’re into towering riffs, powerhouse vocals, and that timeless Hard Rock sound that feels equally rooted in Heavy Metal muscle and Southern Rock swagger, Devil’s Train is absolutely worth your time. And now that it’s finally available on vinyl, these songs should sound even bigger blasting through a proper old-school analog setup.
Standouts – “Fire And Water”, “Devil’s Train”, “Sweet Devil Kiss”, “Forever” and “The Answers”.