FRENZY FIRE

    

METAL & ROCK REVIEWS

    
             
HOME            
REVIEWS            
ARTISTS            
UPCOMING            
LINKS            
             

 

      
   
   
       
       

Storm Of Steel

    
       
       
       
     
             
Nightstryke are a heavy metal band from Finland formed in 2015 by guitarist and vocalist Rami Hermunen. The band released 'The First Stryke' demo in 2016, followed by the single 'Neon Killer' in 2017, and their debut album 'Power Shall Prevail', also in 2017. Touring with bands Angel Sword, Outlaw and Chevalier, the band built up a local following, and established themselves as a new force to be reckoned with in the hard fought arena of traditional heavy metal. The bands sophomore album 'Storm Of Steel' was released in 2020...    
             
...and sees the band storming out of Finland with rabid gusto. The new album chimes in at just thirty four minutes... But what a thirty four minutes! If you're a fan of the classic sound of traditional heavy metal, ala bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon, you're gonna love this... Nightstryke an exciting and energetic band, galloping furiously all the way. 'Storm Of Steel' is brought to life with the thirty seven second mellow twanging intro 'Black Lotus', before exploding into life with the galloping 'Read The Omens'. The traditional style of heavy metal rings out very loud, with 'Read The Omens' planting feet firmly on the monitors. Fans of the NWOBHM will devour this album, not just because it is a meaty feast of fiery metal, it is also soaked in the flavour from the eighties heyday of the genres evolution. Picking up the pace and racing on at full tilt, 'Deathstalker' is a fast and furious metal gallop. Heads will be banging hard to this one, and if you're not in love with this album - why the fuck not? Are you dead? The opening double salvo has all the ingredients to make you drool. And I don't just mean from your mouth...    
             
...with drool oozing out in big dollops, as the album powers on with even more fast paced fury. This time it's 'Dogfight' - a much harder edged romp than 'Deathstalker', featuring an injection of the European style of power metal. Nightstryke are really "going for it", blazing an awesome trail of fire, scorching the Earth as they roar past. The albums first third has flown by. And breath taking is the only description worth writing. Blistering pace takes a back seat with 'Chains Of Faith'. To be replaced by a much heavier mid tempo stomp, the classic sound of traditional heavy metal still resonating through in abundance. And the guitar work - sublime. The album hits the halfway mark with a mammoth thump - the thumping 'Nosferatu' taking flight with as much energy as a jet fighter off to war. The thunderous pace and galloping rhythm is pure, unadulterated heavy metal of the most majestic nature. The chorus is begging to be sung along to - and sung along to, it will be. For every listener and concert goer will be screaming "nosferatu" as loud as they can.    
             
Magnificent and full of pace, 'Knee Deep In The Dead' is a swashbuckling rampage of savagery, savagery of a good kind. The power and oomph oozing from 'Knee Deep In The Dead' eclipses anything that has gone before, Nightstryke firing on all cylinders. As they have all album. Three years ago I was blown away by the sheer intensity of the bands debut, and with this one, I am yet again blown away. The short, mellow and tension filled 'Innominatus' precedes the most NWOBHM sounding song on the album. 'Stranger's Blade' has the all consuming buzz sounding style guitars so synonymous with the NWOBHM sound. It also has pace, fury and a gigantic foot stomping rhythm. 'Stranger's Blade' is a monolithic monster that stands head and shoulders above everything NWOBHM this album has to offer. The album comes to a close with the storming title song, 'Storm Of Steel'. The fastest song on the album, 'Storm Of Steel' (the song) is a thunderous gallop of ferocious heavy metal, that'll get heads moving back and forth at a very high rate. The bands debut album was a stunning release - this one has stunned even more.    
             
Overall, a glorious gallop of heavy metal, very traditional, and very infectious, Nightstryke have delivered an incredible album.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Power Shall Prevail      
           
"energy and intensity, Nightstryke deliver a "foot on the monitor" style album of sparkling heavy metal, recreating the classic NWOBHM sound" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
Top