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Nothing ever seems to be as good or potent the second time around. Re-capturing the feelings and emotions of initial experiences becomes difficult after that experience turns repetitive or begins to wear thin.
However, if you were too young or too apathetic to love and/or appreciate the art of Heavy Metal when it was a viable commercial music form in the 80’s, Nocturnal Rites are just the band to re-kindle that metal flame, writing music that’s brimming with precision, imagination and the awareness that some music fans love it heavy and progressive.
Coming from a death metal origin, the transition to a traditional/progressive style was very natural for Nocturnal Rites, they simply tapped back into their roots and started writing material influenced by the bands that made them become musicians and metal lovers in the first place. Utilizing crafty musician skills and writing memorable, reliable pieces, the Swedish quintet play metal reminiscent of a time when bands such as Judas Priest, Helloween and Iron Maiden were enjoying major label, commercial success.
Garnering cult status for their first album, In A Time Of Blood And Fire, released on a small European label, Century Media Records scooped up Nocturnal Rites in time to release the band’s new album Tales of Mystery And Imagination to literally thousands of fans who are currently brewing up a big power/prog metal resurgence.
Guitarists Nils Norberg and Fredrik Mannberg possess incredible chops, matching great power chord riffing with fluid, sweeping solos. And in front of the jackhammer rhythm section of drummer Ulf Andresson and bassist Nils Eriksson, vocalist Anders Zackrisson howls away with inspiring lyrics and triumphant choruses. In a time where European acts like Blind Guardian and Hammerfall are gaining noteriety and success with a nostalgic, accomplished sound, Nocturnal Rites have also seen it fitting to write metal songs not targeted for the quick bandwagon paycheck, but rather music that pleases themselves and fans that revel in a more traditional style of metal. Tales Of Mystery And Imagination is an album that bridges the gap between today’s progressive metal movement and the commercial accessibility of metal a dozen or so years ago, therefore allowing the listener to actually be captivated and challenged.
NEWS:The Swedish power metallers Nocturnal Rites have just turned in their new album Afterlife, which is the first to feature new vocalist Jonny Lindqvist. The album was once again recorded at Umea's Studio Toneteknik with producer Pelle Henricsson and features cover artwork by famed metal artist Andreas Marschall (Blind Guardian, Hammerfall). Some of the songs include The Sinner's Cross, Temple Of The Dead, Hellenium and The Devil's Child. The album will be released August 29th.
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IN A TIME OF BLOOD AND FIRE 1995Track listing: 1. Sword of Steel 2. Skyline Flame 3. Black Death 4. In a Time of Blood and Fire 5. Dawnspell 6. Lay of Ennui 7. Winds of Death 8. Rest in Peace 9. Dragonisle |
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TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION 1998Track listing: 1. Dark Secret 2. Lost in Time 3. Test of Time 4. Change the World 5. End of the World 6. The Vision 7. Warriors Return 8. Pentagram 9. Eye of the Demon 10. Ring of Steel 11. The Curse* 12. Burn in Hell* 13. Living for Today* ......* On the Japanese version. This cover is the European and US version. |
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TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION 1998Track listing: 1. Dark Secret 2. Lost in Time 3. Test of Time 4. Change the World 5. End of the World 6. The Vision 7. Warriors Return 8. Pentagram 9. Eye of the Demon 10. Ring of Steel 11. The Curse* 12. Burn in Hell* 13. Living for Today* ......* On the Japanese version. This cover is an alternate version |
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THE SACRED TALISMAN 1999Track listing: 1. Destiny Calls 2. The Iron Force 3. Ride On 4. Free At Last 5. Hold on to the Flame 6. Eternity Holds 7. When Fire Comes to Ice 8. The Legend Lives On 9. Unholy Powers (Night of the Witch) 10. Glorious |
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AFTERLIFE 2000Track listing: |
