THEN COMES THE NIGHT
"Start the Change" (Metalopolis; 2024)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Germany's Then Comes the Night originally independently released "Start the Change" in 2023 but when Metalopis Records heard it, they thought it deserved a bigger audience and re-released it in 2024. Metalopolis was right. "Start the Change" is a killer classic metal album, with hints of power metal and NWOBHM sounds enriching the mix.
The ten tracks on this album are all classic heavy metal tracks that bring to mind, more than anyone else, Judas Priest (especially on tracks like "Leather on Leather"). In fact, vocalist Rod Rockbeck, sounds a little like a cross between Rob Halford and Tim "Ripper" Owens, if you can imagine that. The music is guitar-heavy, thick with riffs and leads, and the bass and drums are appropriately heavy. Many of the tracks (like "Princess of the Heart," have a heavy bluesy tinge that gives the music a little more depth. There is one ballad, of course. There has to be on an album like this. And "In My Mind" isn't bad but, personally, I could have done without it.
My favorite tracks were "Zeitgist" with its killer guitars and stellar vocals; the anthemic title track, "Start the Change" and the closer, "Hero of Your Dreams," which closes the album out with explosvie majesty.
I'm grateful that Metalopolis took the baton on this recording (otherise, I may never have heard it) and I look forward to more Then Comes the Night in the future.
For more information, check out https://thencomesthenight.de/.
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.
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Copyright © 2024 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
