NIGHTMARE
"Aeternam" (AFM; 2020)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
France's Nightmare has been in the metal game for a long time. You can figure that out just from the fact that the last time we reviewed the band (our bad), was in 2006 with their "The Dominion Gate." I'm sure a lot has changed within Nightmare over the past fourteen years but I know this much hasn't: The band still knows how to kick ass.
"Aeternam" is ten tracks of raucous power metal, with loud, crunchy guitars, pounding rhythms and fantastic vocals by Madie, who returns from the band's 2016 album, "Dead Sun."
"Aeternam" is the kind of album that has you constantly reaching to turn up the volume. The tracks are epic, wall-of-sound songs, with powerful beats, driving rhythms and scorching leads. Madie's vocals are pure and strong; clear when they need to be and screaming when that's what's called for.
Fans of epic metal bands like Iced Earth will definitely find something to like on "Aeternum."
For more information, check out http://www.nightmare.band.
"The
Dominion Gate" (Candlelight; 2006)
Reviewed by Mike SOS
Flying under the American radar for nearly two decades, French metal mongers Nightmare have come with sword in hand, ready to overtake your power metal collection with full force.
Sharing the musical prowess of bands like Blind Guardian, Kamelot, and Helloween, this 13-track metal tour de force has all of the nuances that a proper traditional metal album should, such as humungous sounding drums, interlocking guitars and keyboards, and a high-pitched vocal wail that evokes the likes of Dio and Dickinson on tracks such as “Messenger of Faith” and “Taste of Armageddon,” featuring a guest vocal performance by angelic Floor Jansen from After Forever.
Chances are if you’re heavy into the guitar gallop and hanker for the heavy metal histrionics associated with power metal, this 13-track offering is something you need to get your hands on.
For more information, check out http://www.nightmare.band.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2020 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
