Nightsteel – Nightsteel
Review by: James Thomas
Review Score: 8
Do you ever find yourself longing for those glory days of the 1980’s – when there was no internet or social media, vinyl records ruled the day, and heavy metal reigned supreme? Greek heavy/power metal outfit, Nightsteel, has just the fix for you! Their debut album, “Nightsteel”, will be unleashed on the metal world on April 11 on Cosmic Fire Records with a sound that is sure to please fans of both straightforward traditional heavy metal and European power metal.
Having gotten their start in 2022, when bassist/songwriter, Bill Sam, enlisted the services of drummer Mike Foudotos, and together, they set out to round out the band’s lineup. What makes this release unique is that the band utilizes four different vocalists: Travis Wills (Crimson Glory, Infidel Rising), Craig Cairns (Tailgunner, ex-Induction), Rob Lundgren (Reveal, Mystery Moon), and Mauro Elias. And now that the band has put the finishing touches on their debut album, metal fans everywhere will have the pleasure of being whisked back to yesteryear.
Heavy, yet melodic riffs? Check! Incredible bass and drum work? Check! Soaring melodic vocals that cause the listener to feel like he or she is riding on the heavy metal winds? CHECK! This album has a little bit of everything. As the album kicks off with the opening track, “Nightsteel”, the listener is treated to a nice, heavy main riff with vocals that will immediately bring to mind the uplifting sounds of European power metal. These themes continue throughout the album, as the songs transition beautifully from one to another. In fact, the second track, “Darkness Reigns”, contains a blindingly fast guitar solo reminiscent of something you might hear on a DragonForce release!
As vocalist Travis Wills sings of “castle walls” in the track, “Screams of Agony”, fans of power metal will be elated and compelled to sing along. But it’s when we come to the fourth track, “Warlord’s Betrayal”, that we come to an early major highlight of the album. With incredible variety on this track, the listener is taken on a roller coaster – from the darker sound with more thrash-like riffs at the beginning to the slower pace as the song progresses, the song takes on a gothic feel with some eerily melodic gang vocals at times. A more epic, contemplative solo greets the listener as the song continues, making this a ride worth taking again and again.
We get a semi-ballad in track number five, “Whispers of the Heart”, as vocalist Rob Lundgren takes over. The music is perhaps a bit softer in this one, but the guitar work remains strong, and the vocal melodies complement the sound perfectly. Next, we get a monster 1-2 punch with “Eternal Fight” and “Calm Lake”. The former begins with a cool, futuristic feel, although it doesn’t take long for the extremely heavy main riff to kick into high gear. The “epic” meter is off the charts with this track, as the listener is kept guessing with the pace changes. As we come to “Calm Lake”, we have perhaps the best track on the album. It begins with an odd, trance-like feel that is evoked in the listener, but as the first verse begins, a monstrous riff utterly takes over. The vocals sound more fierce, yet more melodic all at the same time and are a tremendous ingredient to the track, while the pounding rhythm is maintained throughout.
“Win or Lose” is introduced with a sense of great triumph to all who hear, and this track has more of a “hard rock” edge to it. Vocalist Craig Cairns appears on this track, and his vocals bring to mind a mixture of Rob Halford and Ralf Scheepers and are a highlight. We get a more radio-friendly chorus, but it works quite well, and the guitar work keeps the song interesting even during its slower moments. The solo is impeccable. Moving into track number nine, “Panagioti”, a softer, winsome intro gives way to thundering drums and a mid-paced stomp to the music. Rich vocals with a nice edge carry the song, as the tempo remains consistent throughout.
As we come to the final two tracks, “Damned Sorrows” begins with some chaotic sound effects before a nice gallop begins (a nod to Iron Maiden, no doubt), and an epic feel once again permeates the track. The vocals begin in a lower register, but the melody is fantastic. In this song, we are treated to the best guitar soloing on the entire album – it is a real treat to hear. This is one of the heavier tracks on this debut. Album closer, “Carry On”, is introduced with a soft, classical-inspired sound, which melts effortlessly into the plodding, melodic guitar lines as the verses progress. Musically, there is still a harder, darker edge, and it ultimately proves to be a nice, heavy way to end the album – a wise choice, as opposed to ending the album on a soft note with a ballad.
To sum it up, this album has all of the ingredients for a delectable heavy/power metal stew – from the music to the varied vocals to the often fantasy-themed lyrical content. Tracks such as “Warlord’s Betrayal”, “Eternal Fight”, and “Calm Lake”, are worth the price of admission alone, but fans of the genre will find this to be a thoroughly satisfying listen all the way through. So, kick back, grab a drink, and crank this one up, as you close your eyes and allow yourself to be transported to a simpler time, where the only care in the world was to headbang and forget about life for awhile. Nightsteel might just be the fix you’ve been looking for!
James Thomas
Writer, The Metal Pit