Nocturnal Rites: New World Messiah

Equal parts power metal and hair metal, the sixth album from Sweden's Nocturnal Rites is a killer disc that deserves to be heard by any self-respecting headbanger. High praise? Yes, indeed. But since the release of 2000's Afterlife (the first disc from this veteran quintet to feature rugged yet dynamic vocalist Jonny Lindqvist), Nocturnal Rites has been building toward something as rousing and memorable as New World Messiah. Sure, you can hear the Iron Maiden and Helloween influences, but whereas other bands simply emulate their heroes and don't take chances, Nocturnal Rites isn't afraid to slow down the tempos, turn up the choruses and play whatever they damn well please. This is finely honed heavy metal that's as refreshing as it is traditional. The title track is a shining example of the band's Blind Guardian-meets-Bonfire style. Elsewhere, you get Middle Eastern flavors ("Egyptica"), majestic hymns ("The Flame Will Never Die"), traditional double-bass thumping ("Awakening") and nothing less than a sweet whiff of power-metal air.

Track Listing:
1) New World Messiah (4:09)
2) Against the World (4:18)
3) Avalon (4:18)
4) Awakening (5:28)
5) Egyptica (5:53)
6) Break Away (4:34)
7) End of Days (4:47)
8) The Flame Will Never Die (4:21)
9) One Nation (4:29)
10) Nightmare (4:37)
Total Time: 46:59

Added: April 7th 2004
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:
Related Link: Official Nocturnal Rites Web Site
Hits: 4160
Language: english

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