Artist: Nightrage
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 7/29/03
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Title: Sweet Vengeance Artist: Nightrage Label: Century Media Release Date: 7/29/03 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
The most recent 'supergroup' in the melodic death metal scene, Nightrage culminates talent from At The Gates, Evergrey, Dream Evil, The Haunted, and Exhumation. Throw in a Fredrik Nordstrom production job as well, and many of you out there might believe you've already heard this album a million times before, under a million different names. And in many ways you'd be right. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that this is the most unique sounding record, but I am also going to point out that is one hell of a worthwhile listen.
"Many of you out there might believe you've already heard this album a million times before, under a million different names. And in many ways you'd be right." I never have a problem with a well-written album, regardless of its genre. While I completely understand the argument that we don't need another 'Gothenburg' sounding band, if a good one comes around it still deserves our attention. I mean, Master of Puppets in many ways was very similar to Ride The Lightning, so imagine if it was never written because of a 'been there, done that' philosophy.
I also don't want to be too easy on this record, because it isn't as complete an album as it could be. Some songs are awesome, and some are just okay. It's obvious that the band takes themselves seriously, and they have carved out a nice little sound for themselves, but unless you are a blind fan of this type of music, don't go right out and buy it just yet.
"You can either see it as a great record or an overdone sound, because in all honesty it is both." Mr. Lindberg has put on quite a performance here, showing that he still has what it takes, and I believe this to be his best post-At The Gates performance. It is also most like his old band musically. This record has a thrashy base that reminds me of the earlier melodic death metal scene, before clean vocals crept into the mix-before the actual 'death' was taken out of melodic death metal. The acoustic passages are often brief and peripheral, and the riffs are thick and speedy. The clean vocals on this album are used sparingly, giving them some actual clout when they eventually appear. The drums blast and give a great undercurrent to the rhythm section, providing groove without solely relying on it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this album has much more in common with The Jester Race or The Gallery than it does to Soilwork or In Flames' recent output.
One can look at it any way they want to. You can either see it as a great record or an overdone sound, because in all honesty it is both. I'm personally on board because I really like this type of shit, but then again, I'm not sure how often I'll keep coming back to this one once the initial honeymoon wears off. One word review: Cool.
Death's Review:
"If you like melodic death metal, you're definitely gonna want to check out Nightrage." If you like melodic death metal, you're definitely gonna want to check out Nightrage. They've got the crushing, thrashy, early In Flames, new Dark Tranquillity, post-At the Gates type sound going. But these guys have something more: they've got ex-At the Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg (Lock Up, The Great Deceiver, The Crown). So they're not just replicating, they're rekindling a classic melodic death metal voice, with Lindberg performing what is probably his closest work to At the Gates he's done since then (Metal Hammer called it "the first legitimate follow-up to At the Gates' milestone Slaughter of the Soul"). There are actually two vocalists: Lindberg does the death metal vocals, and Evergrey's Tom S. Englund does melodic vocals. But, as they say in infomercials for steak knives, "that's not all, there's more." The Haunted's Per M. Jensen is on drums, melding the old-school with the new and bringing a killer performance filled with double-bass and sick fills. Gus G. (Dream Evil, Firewind, Mystic Prophecy) is on lead guitars. Nightrage founder and guitarist (and lyricist) Marios Iliopoulos (ex-Exhumation) and bassist Brice Leclerq round out the "supergroup" lineup.
"They're from Gothenburg by way of Greece with a French bass player... but these thrashers all sound Swedish by way of the Bay Area." The band is multi-national too. They're from Gothenburg by way of Greece with a French bass player. But such national eclecticism ends when you put on the music, as these thrashers all sound Swedish by way of the Bay Area. The Studio Fredman production does the album justice, as does the Niklas Sundin artwork. As you can see, this one has all of the pedigree. More importantly, musically, it delivers the goods. Thrashy, fun, melodic Swedish-styled death metal. Nothing all that original, but I'm sure lots of people are going to really get into this one. I like it a lot so far.
Hel's Review:
I know what you're thinking: "More melodic death?" I know, because I've had that exact same thought at one point or another. Over the years, it seems as though this particular sub-genre has experienced a veritable explosion. These days the metal underground seems to be saturated with bands playing a variation on this style. So yet another band like this popping up is crazy, right? Well, there have been times when I'd be agreeing. But did you get a look at this line up? They call them "super groups" for a reason.
The talent in this band is truly formidable. With a formula like this, it would be surprising for it not to be. Indeed, Nightrage is a quality modern melodic death band, but with a very important twist. Currently, the popular trend has become to incorporate a second, clean, vocal style into the songs. Here, a second vocalist, one who truly knows how to sing, is used instead. This brings a whole new dimension to that dynamic effect. The songs are similarly classic yet ingenious, and they are not only well written, but effectively executed as well.
"Did you get a look at this line up? They call them 'super groups' for a reason."
"It's really not a giant shock to realize that this is an excellent record performed by an extremely talented band." It's really not a giant shock to realize that this is an excellent record performed by an extremely talented band. Knowing who these people are, having heard where they came from, it's not a surprise that this is a great product. In order to stand out in a landscape so full of similar bands, it is nothing less than necessary to be something special. Nightrage is indeed something special, and Sweet Vengeance is a fitting display of skill and talent.
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