Metal Reviews
Metal Reviews
Tales Of Mystery And Imagination NOCTURNAL RITES |
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: 1. Ring Of Steel 2. Dark Secret 3. Test Of Time 4. Lost In Time 5. The Vision 6. Warrior's Return 7. Change The World 8. Pentagram 9. Eye Of The Demon 10. End Of The World 11. The Curse 12. Burn In Hell Tales Of Mystery And Imagination was a selection of short stories by a very famous author namely Edgar Allan Poe. So what's this got to do with the 90's metal band Nocturnal Rites. Well Nothing, Thank God, as this version has it's head well and truly fixed with Norse mythologies and tales of viking warriors,etc,etc. So, what do they sound like ? Well and truly stunning. This folks, is one of the finest metal albums you'll hear, bar well none really. Yes, it is that good. Nocturnal Rites are obviously influenced by Iron Maiden/ Helloween with dualing guitars, brilliant leads, outstanding vocals, harmonic interludes and rhythms you could simply die for, nothing I could ever put down on paper/ over the internet could really do this album justice. The songs are simply too good. This is a fistful of metal at it's best. All the songs simply roll from track to track with such case that time passes so quickly that when it finishes you simply have to play tit again. Stand out tracks for me have to be 'Ring Of Steel' and 'Change The World' because of their excellent harmonies and sing along chorus. But, hey, all the songs are played with such class and the musicianship is so high, it's hard really to choose any one track that stands out because they are all so good. Nocturnal Rites are shifting this by the bucket load in countires such as Japan, so lets hope it's huge over here. This is the album of '98, so far. Get round to your local record store and get your copy now!! This CD is released by Century Media Records. USA 1453-a 14th Street #324 Santa Monica, CA 90404 Phone : 310 574 7400. Tel : 310 574 7414 mail@centurymedia.com GERMANY Schaeferstrasse 33a 44147 Dortmund Tel : +49 231 8297 0 Fax : +49 231 8297 101 Email : dortmund@centurymedia.com Website : http://www.centurymedia.com |
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Shadowlands Nocturnal Rites |
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Swedish Metallions Nocturnal Rites burst onto the metal scene in 1995 with their critically acclaimed debut In A Time of Blood and Fire and followed it up a year later with the equally well received Tales of Mystery and Imagination, but since then their last two releases The Sacred Talisman and After Life have faired less well. Not saying that they were bad albums but simply lacked the flare and imagination of their first two releases. Realising something was wrong the band not only changed location but also producer, incorporating the skills of Daniel Bergstrand at his Dug Out Studios. A choice that at first might seem strange as Bergstrand is better known for his work with heavier bands such as Meshuggah, Stuck Mojo and Strapping Young Lad, but without doubt it proved to be the perfect choice as Shadowlands sees Nocturnal Rites back at their very best. Now before you metalheads start panicking, no, Nocturnal Rites haven't suddenly become a nu-metal band on the contrary as songs such as "Eyes of the Dead", "Revelation" and "Vengeance" shows. With their big riffs, big choruses and strong leads they are simply power metal heaven, its just that this time round the band have incorporated a couple of darker tunes like "Underworld" and "Faceless God" which gives the album a whole new depth and feel. Oh, just one more thing before I sign off the artwork by Russian artist, Leo Hao, is simply outstanding. The cover art is good but the artwork on the cd is simply breathtaking, one of the best I've seen for years. Overall then Shadowlands is a fine alternative form and I suppose you could say a change is a good as a rest, well it is in this case anyway. This CD is released by Century Media Records. UK USA Review by Andy Wagstaff
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