Musical influences is key to any band’s persona. Take Raleigh-based proto-metal doom outfit, Demon Eye, for instance. Built on a foundation of ’70s prog/classic rock, a dose of doomy, Sabbathian elements and spacey Hawkwind-isms combined with Dust’s proto-metal innovations and punctuated by Thin Lizzy-infused harmonized leads, Demon Eye bring the thunder on its sophomore effort, Tempora Infernalia. Leading off with “End Of Days,” the band finds a steady groove and rides it like no tomorrow, infusing psychedelic guitar melodies with fuzzy, bluesy overtones. The head-bobbin’ “Listen To The Darkness” digs even deeper into the Dust-inspired sound, while “I’ll Be Creeping” and “Give Up The Ghost” serves up Bill Ward-penned Never Say Die songs with the more upbeat elements of Pentagram and St. Vitus.

Through 40 minutes, Demon Eye takes you on a ’70s blues-rock/throwback-doom time machine on its ten tracks. Erik Sugg’s vocals are inviting, consisting of a slightly twisted demeanor while possessing the charisma of Ozzy back in the day, especially on track “Please, Father”, slightly recalling Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan”. The rest of the band, consisting of bassist Paul Walz, lead guitarist Larry Burlison and drummer Bill Eagen contribute to the band’s sound with ultimate proficiency. Demon Eye is a solid retro-rock band who utilize an old-school vibe to satisfying results by paying homage to their forebears without directly copying them.