Singles review: NIGHTMARE, ALTERIUM

January 15th, 2024 by brianmc

AFM Records [Release date : 12.01.24]

Formed in 1979, Power Metal French band, Nightmare have been worshipping the mighty riff for 11 albums now.

Ex Songbird frontwoman, Barbara Mogore, is the band’s new vocalist, subsequently showing off her vocal versatility on a bright, shiny new version of the classic Nightmare song, ‘Eternal Winter’ (from 2009).

The song’s been reprogrammed slightly. Its industry standard verse has been roughened up with harsh vocals preceding the smooth, the perfect intro to the haunting, hymn like chorus.
The entire song’s arrangement has clearly been carefully crafted to the demands of contemporary expectations, adding freshness and texture to what has often become a flat and familiar landscape.

It’s an effective taster, and there’s clearly a growing appetite, not only among fans, for quality Power Metal right now.

AFM Records [Release date : 05.01.24]

Alterium is a new Italian Symphonic Metal quintet led by Nicoletta Rosellini (ex. Kalidia).

‘Of War And Flames’ is the fabulous third teaser single from the band’s debut album, due out in March.

This is a tight, tight band. Even when aiming for that epic sweep, taking the music from zero to heroic heights in the course of four and a half minutes – as with ‘Of War and Flames’ – they don’t put a foot wrong.

It cranks into sonic overdrive quickly, leaving an affecting intro of powerful choral work and classy piano/strings interplay in its wake, rising to a dark and brooding chorus.

If the rest of the album’s like this . . .

Reviews by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)