Hellcity 13 are from Finland and describe their music as 'Dark and Beautiful', They are a band with many influences from Hanoi Rocks to the Sisters of mercy and this gothic influence is something that this evident on the three songs on this demo.

The band are:
Vocals: Mica
Guitar: LL Stud
Bass: JT Thomas
Drums: Pitkä
Keyboards: Mr Kess
Backing vocals: Susannah

I would have to attribute the gothic sound to two things - the keyboards and Susannah's ethereal backing vocals. Mica's voice is more a raw, rough sleazy sound.

It is a bit confusing at times (not necessarily a bad thing though), take the opening track 'In your eyes' for instance, opens with a distinctly HIM sounding keyboard intro and then before you know what is happening in come the fat heavy guitar riffs. Mika then starts to sing in his sleazy drawl and all the while the keyboards giving their gothic touch in the background.Then once we get to the chorus Susannah's backing vocals join in, adding further gothic touches.

'Is there anybody out there' would be the best song here, I love the catchy guitar hooks throughout this one, perfectly complimented by the piano and vocals of Mika and Susannah.

The final track on the demo 'Masquerade' refuses to be labeled in anyway. The keyboards and guitars at times have folk rock feel to them at times, however the chorus is a hulking stadium rock fist banging mixture of powerful vocals and pounding bass lines. Takes a few listens to decide if it's for you or not but there is no denying it is powerful well written song.

It will be interesting to hear a full length album by these guys, their music is certainly not typical of anything else around, but as I already said, nothing wrong with that.
7/10
Kerri