NIGHTRAGE SWEET VENGEANCE
Century Media - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
With so many super-groups coming out recently, one had to remain skeptical when the new Nightrage album was placed in the CD tray for the first time. After all, the idea of all-star groups look better on paper than when they are actually done. However, Sweet Vengeance is the album to break those barriers. Formed by guitarists Marios Illiopoulos (ex-Exhumation) and Gus G. (Dream Evil/Mystic Prophecy), this album is a pure shot of adrenaline, aggression and intensity that grabs you by the throat and does not let go.
Tagging along for the ride are drummer Per M. Jensen (The Haunted) and Brice Leclercq at bass. Oh and let us not forget the two excellent singers which are none other Tomas Lindberg and Tom Englund, who adds the melodic clean vocals to a few certain songs. The performances of each are incredible. Tomas sounds as ferocious as ever, maybe even achieving the high level of his time with At the Gates and Toms powerful and emotional tones provide a great contrast in songs like Hero and At the Ends of the Earth.
While the initial listens might invoke thoughts of older In Flames and give the easy impression that Nightrage is a melodic death metal band nothing could be further from the truth. Once you begin to explore the roots and submerge yourself deeper into the album, one will notice the influence of Testament especially in the songs Gloomy Daydreams and In My Heart as well as black metal in Macabre Apparition.
Nightrage has provided a good kick in the ass with Sweet Vengeance as they have certainly provided one of the best albums of the year. Hopefully, this line-up will be able to stay intact in the future (odds are that it wont be) just to see how it will evolve. However, for now we have an album to satisfy the most carnivorous of appetites.
Century Media Website
Nightrage Official Website
Century Media - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
With so many super-groups coming out recently, one had to remain skeptical when the new Nightrage album was placed in the CD tray for the first time. After all, the idea of all-star groups look better on paper than when they are actually done. However, Sweet Vengeance is the album to break those barriers. Formed by guitarists Marios Illiopoulos (ex-Exhumation) and Gus G. (Dream Evil/Mystic Prophecy), this album is a pure shot of adrenaline, aggression and intensity that grabs you by the throat and does not let go.
Tagging along for the ride are drummer Per M. Jensen (The Haunted) and Brice Leclercq at bass. Oh and let us not forget the two excellent singers which are none other Tomas Lindberg and Tom Englund, who adds the melodic clean vocals to a few certain songs. The performances of each are incredible. Tomas sounds as ferocious as ever, maybe even achieving the high level of his time with At the Gates and Toms powerful and emotional tones provide a great contrast in songs like Hero and At the Ends of the Earth.
While the initial listens might invoke thoughts of older In Flames and give the easy impression that Nightrage is a melodic death metal band nothing could be further from the truth. Once you begin to explore the roots and submerge yourself deeper into the album, one will notice the influence of Testament especially in the songs Gloomy Daydreams and In My Heart as well as black metal in Macabre Apparition.
Nightrage has provided a good kick in the ass with Sweet Vengeance as they have certainly provided one of the best albums of the year. Hopefully, this line-up will be able to stay intact in the future (odds are that it wont be) just to see how it will evolve. However, for now we have an album to satisfy the most carnivorous of appetites.
Century Media Website
Nightrage Official Website
