Album review: NIGHTINGALE – Retribution

Inside Out [Released 10.11.14]

Nightingale is centred around Dan Swano, who has worked with many artists including Opeth. This is the band’s seventh album and their first since 2007 and I must admit to not having heard anything by them before hearing this album.

The music is a grand mix of melodic rock, classic 70’s rock, prog metal and neo-classical prog beloved of bands like IQ and Credo. It is an interesting mix, take opener ‘On Stolen Wings’ where Dan Swano’s vocal has the gruff edge of say Russell Allen on the verses before a much more softer vocal on the choruses. The song is one of the best I have heard this year and I am sure it would prove a hit with fellow melodic rock lovers if they got to hear it.

Elsewhere we have the gentle refrains of ‘Divided I Fall’ and ‘Forevermore’, a song that cleverly mixes prog synths and a hard rock backing. Dan Swano certainly has the voice ideally suited to the music on the album. The lyrical subjects covered are also a rare old mix from a tale of a vampire through to a religious cult and the mystery of rock stars passing away aged 27.

Having no pre-conceived ideas of what to expect I really enjoyed this album and like last year’s albums by Sound of Contact and Haken, this album has the appeal not only to prog rock fans but to a wide rock audience. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
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 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 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)