Pour one part Death Angel, one part Savatage, two parts Metal Church and a dash of Stryper for color....mix, shaken, not stirred and serve in a dirty glass. There you have Nightmare. For thirty years this French brigade has been making music to give you second thoughts about wanting to go to sleep (Freddy Krueger loves this band).
The band hasn't stopped with the 10th studio album "The Aftermath"(I hated math.) They do hold true to the elements of speed metal and progressive metal down to the barking of the machine-gun-fire double picking.
Kicking things off is a little intro called "The Aftermath" that kinda sets up the story line for what is about to take place and what is, is a triple-threat beat down titled "Of a no man's Land”, “Forbidden Tribe”, and “The Necromancer" (not the RUSH song). These make for some easy listening. Meaning, you as the listener don't have to work hard to hear what going on. It's all there. Well mixed and shaken.
"Invoking Demons" is something I don't suggest you do, but I do suggest you turn this song up as loud as you can! The 'thump' of the rhythm section sets you up from the beginning. Here's two more hits to swinging at anything that moves: I am Immortal", and "Digital DNA". Just keep swinging! "Ghost in the Mirror" reflects some thrash beats and a little death metal backing vocals and "The Bridge is Burning" fools you with soothing lyrics and melodious guitars....then you get belted (but it's a good beat...).
To get you on your feet to mosh, "Mission for God" slams you to the floor again and again. "In the Distance" is the end. I wish it didn't have to end, but like all good things, I guess. Nightmare's "The Aftermath" (did I mention my hatred for math?) is chalk full of solid songwriting. The instruments are well mixed (shaken, not stirred) and the blazing guitar work, powerful rhythm section and vocals to give you nightmares for eternity.
The downside is that in some songs the distortion on guitar got muddled and that was a distraction. The upside - this record is not boring at all. The solos are not over-done, under done or over easy - well seasoned with melody and precision. The bass can be heard as well, so big plus there. It has a beat and I can grapple to it. I give 'em a 9!
Tim Duran, HMS
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