When a band has the name NOCTURNAL RITES you tend
to approach their work with certain expectations.
And as I had never heard these guys before, I was
therefore prepared for something of a black/death
metal nature. Surely, given the band’s moniker,
that must be the case? Oh no, my friend. Not in the
least. What we’re talking about here is the
band’s 8th studio album, appropriately entitled
“The 8th Sin”, and it is many things,
but death metal it most certainly is not.
Let me begin with a bit of history. Apparently NOCTURNAL
RITES *were* a death metal band in their formative
years, while they were calling themselves NECROMONIC,
but shortly after their initial demo and following
some personnel changes, the group began to focus more
on a power metal sound. Which brings us to today.
Or does it? Metal magazine titan Metal Maniacs has
described NOCTURNAL RITES as “the power metal
band for people who don’t like power metal”.
Um…. uh…. well…. sort of. Here’s
the thing, calling “The 8th Sin” power
metal is a bit of a stretch. To those of us who are
fans of the genre and who are familiar with it, NOCTURNAL
RITES fall a bit short on achieving a sound that can
accurately be called such. Granted the influence is
most certainly there, sure, there are elements of
power metal throughout, but in all honesty I think
“The 8th Sin” should fall squarely under
the category of melodic metal.
NOCTUNAL RITES, inasmuch as it pertains to their latest
album, have as much in common with VAN HALEN as they
do with HELLOWEEN. Think WHITESNAKE meets GAMMA RAY,
or FIREHOUSE meets HAMMERFALL. It’s essentially
melodic metal of the sort that was prevalent in the
early 90’s (Slaughter, Winger, Enuff Z’Nuff)
with a power metal edge. So yeah, Metal Maniacs was
right in that what the band offers on “The 8th
Sin” is a more accessible version of power metal,
but lets call a spade a spade here. “The 8th
Sin” is radio friendly pop metal.
Featuring lots of melody, high energy, and an up-beat
attitude, the album is a toe tapping, rocking good
time. If you’re into bands like FIREWIND, EDGUY
or even BRUCE TURGON then you’ll be pleased
by this album. If you’re looking for real power
metal, however, keep on looking.
Bottom Line: This album is likely going to upset
a lot of people, former fans fist off and foremost,
but for what it’s worth “The 8th Sin”
is an enjoyable listen, harkening to more innocent
days when metal was fun and instilled you with a sense
of joy. Just don’t go into this expecting anything
other than radio friendly melodic metal.
Key Tracks: “Call Out To The World”;
“Never Again”; “Pain & Pleasure”;
“Strong Enough”
Reviewed by Farron Watson
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