Sweden based metal band NIGHTRAGE have been a going concern for 15 years at the time of writing, formed back in 2000 and with six full length studio productions to their name starting with “Sweet Vengeance” in 2003. “The Puritan is their most recent studio effort, and was released through Swedish label Despotz Records in April 2015.
When reading up on this band, I see that they have chosen to categorize themselves as a melodic death metal band, and after having given their latest album a listen I really wonder why. Now I’m an aging metal fan and does regard such matters in the context of someone growing up in a time and an age where people discussed if Possessed’s classic album “7 Churches” was intense enough to merit a description as death metal, and given that particular context I’d say that at least this specific album by Nightrage falls short in that department. Apart from the songs Son of Sorrow and When Gold Turn to Rust, both of which have that intense feel I expect from a band describing themselves as death metal, I’d describe Nightrage as of 2015 as a band hovering on the borderline between thrash metal and heavy metal, with aggressive growl-oriented guttural vocals adding that touch of extreme metal to the proceedings.
The opening cuts on this disc didn’t impress me all that much, and for me those are weak points on this production. Tight, energetic affairs, but not the kind of songs that manage to entice me by way of mood, atmosphere or intensity as such, so I’d advice those who feel a need to sample this album to skip those tracks straight away. More importantly, their stronger focus on what I’d describe as a primarily thrash oriented style isn’t all that revealing for the remaining material either.
But starting with Desperate Vows a more compelling album starts to reveal itself. Nightrage excel at switching back and forth between a more thrash oriented expression and one firmer rooted in what I’d describe as closer to heavy metal, and utilize power riffs, melodic overlays and occasional acoustic driven, frail interludes to good effect to maintain drive, intensity and variation from this point and onwards. Harmony guitar soloing of the kind that can be traced back to Iron Maiden as a likely point of inspiration are added to good effect, fluctuating and circulating riff patterns with a basic melody oriented expression is a key feature too, and on occasion we’re also treated to a galloping riff and rhythms basis that again may be traced back to Iron Maiden as a likely point of if not inspiration than at least origin. Liberally flavored with steroids in the manner in which this is employed here obviously. There’s also room for an instrumental affair of the more careful kind, Lone Lake, a carefully majestic affair creating a compelling melancholic, dreamladen landscape.
If I should select a specific com[position to check out first on this CD, my choice would be Fathomless. A short, tight affair that combines all the elements Nightrage appears to execute in the best manner, up to and including an elegant melody based flowing guitar solo and a gentle, acoustic based interlude alongside more intense thrash-oriented escapades and effective use of power riffs.
While I wouldn’t recommend this album to those looking for the next great death metal album, those who might enjoy a band residing on the border between heavy metal and thrash metal, with a few detours into the more intense death metal territories, should take notice of this production. A certain fondness of aggressive, hoarse vocals that may or may not be described as growling is needed however, as far as vocals are concerned these do reside safe and sound within the extreme metal department.
My rating: 78/100
