Nightmare - The Aftermath

It's great to see a band that's been around this long still making relevant music for today's audiences. Incroyable!French metallers Nightmare have been around since Jimmy Carter was president even if you don't readily recall their music. But (luckily, for us) they broke up for about a decade in the late 80s and reformed in 1999 with a new sound. Okay, it was really just a shift from a straight NWoBHM sound to power metal, but that shift - along with drummer Jo Amore handing his drumsticks to his brother David and taking the reins as lead vocalist - has made all the difference to fans of heavy, driving rhythyms, and some of the best singing to be found in the genre.

Amore and crew know their way around a good metal riff, and their latest album, The Aftermath, showcases this fact on pretty much every track of its 50 minute running time. For me the real thrill is Jo and his voice; this guy sounds amazing. Like Symphony X's Russell Allen, he has the powerful rasp of Ronnie James Dio but can also wail on big choruses like a champ. And let's not forget the killer guitarwork of Franck Milleliri and Matt Asselbergs, who keep a satisfying crunch going from start to finish. All in all, this is some damn fine power metal.

The Bottom Line: If you're thirsting for some great power metal, look no further than Nightmare and their latest, The Aftermath. They'll set you straight. Vraiment!

- Genghis aimeraient voir ce groupe en concert...