NOCTURNAL RITES · Shadowland (Re-Release) | RED LP

Red vinyl in standard cover.

Background information about ''

Nocturnal Rites hit a serious sweet spot with Shadowland, and if you missed this one back in 2002, now's your chance to rectify that mistake in style. The Swedish power metal titans were already five albums deep by this point, but there's a razor-sharp confidence running through every second of this record that makes it stand out even in a catalogue as stacked as theirs. Produced by the mighty Daniel Bergstrand — the man behind the desk for Meshuggah and In Flames, no less — the album crackles with a punchy, crystalline energy that lets every galloping riff and soaring vocal line hit exactly where it needs to.

The magic here is in the balance. You've got the twin-guitar attack of Nils Norberg and Fredrik Mannberg laying down riffs that are equal parts melodic finesse and pure heavy metal crunch, while Johnny Lindqvist's vocals absolutely soar over the top with the kind of hooks that'll lodge themselves in your skull for days. Tracks like the title cut and "Invincible" are basically masterclasses in how to write a power metal anthem — huge choruses, driving rhythms, and just enough keyboard atmosphere to give everything that epic sheen without ever tipping into cheese territory. The rhythm section of Owe Lingvall and Nils Eriksson keeps the whole thing locked down tight, giving even the most anthemic moments a real heavyweight punch. It's the sound of a band at the peak of their powers, completely in command of their craft.

For fans of:
HammerFall, Edguy, Stratovarius, Gamma Ray, Helloween

Other Versions

CD · 13,99 €

Track listing

A1. Eyes Of The Dead
A2. Shadowland
A3. Invincible
A4. Revelation
A5. Vengeance
B6. Never Die
B7. Underworld
B8. Faceless God
B9. Birth Of Chaos
B10. The Watcher

Manufacturer: 375 Media GmbH, Schlachthofstraße 36A, 21079 Hamburg, Germany, Contact: www.backonblack.com