Unstoppable Brit Rock combo, Nightblade will release their staggering fifth album in a remarkable five years on Friday, 11th April. Subsequently, the band ceremoniously named their latest release 5, to align with their milestone achievement.
With a prolific run of long players over the last five years, the band’s latest offering further showcases the progression of the Kidderminster-based rockers since the pandemic era.
The album opens with the riff-heavy One Night on the Town. A big song about a big night out, and the perfect number to give you that Friday feeling.
Grave Mistake continues with once again big riffs, catchy hooks and a guitar solo that will leave scorch marks on the listener’s ears.
The album slows down momentarily with I’ll Be Home Tonight. The song may be slower than the opening two, but the number builds as the song progresses and features some emotionally charged lyricism from Mark Crosby.
Crunchy power chords and a tight beat underpin Never Trust Another’s potent message, during this gritty slice of rock from the midlands-based outfit.
A fast flurry of guitar riffs carries the song Left At the Light. It’s the type of song where you want to turn the Marshalls up to eleven, and let it bleed.
Speak As You Find is one of the tracks that stands out as being a bit different on the album. Heavy bass riffs underpin the song’s tight rhythm. The riff, in particular, reminds the writer a bit of The Clash. The song ebbs and flows throughout the number’s duration.
Heard It All Before is a further brooding, thought-provoking number which carries a hard-hitting message. I guess we’ve all been there, which makes the song even more relatable to the listener.
Put your flu tablets on standby whilst listening to What You Did Was Wrong because this outright fiery rocker is catchier than the common cold, and one of the stand-out tracks on the release.
The release concludes with Face Doesn’t Fit. A crunchy rocker with a hard-hitting groove, and a perfect way to close out the album’s ten brilliant tracks.
Whilst Nightblade may have named their new album 5, that number by no means reflects the quality of the release, or the score it should receive – it’s most certainly a 10/10 for us.
Review by Adam Kennedy
