Rating: 7 / 10 Stars
REVIEW – I am so puzzled by this band. I thought when they released The Aftermatch in 2014, that this band had their lineup finally under control. Things change as is life, and they hire a new lead singer and put out Dead Sun a few years later. I thought Dead Sun was a great album. Where I felt while the band was playing good in the past that Jo’s vocals were not as epic as the band needed. Dead Sun showcased that Maggy was the singer that this band needed. Dead Sun to me was this band at their very best. Things change yet again as life, and the band are back with different members and a new cd. Nightmare, I feel that they view this as a “ do or die” cd for them. They are constantly revolving the seats in the band to the point that this could be the Deep Purple of power metal. This album right out the gates is swinging for the fences. They are pulling out all their tricks. They understand that Madie is going to get all the focus for being the voice, so they showcase her early and often. If you are a fan of the last decade of Nightmare, this new cd is right in the same vein.
There is nothing bad about it, but there is nothing really that grabs you by the throat. This album is a ton of flash and style, but it feels so lacking in substance. It is like looking at a commercial for a hamburger and visualizing that burger, and then getting the reality when you order. This album understands that fans are going to be jaded for yet another lead singer change. So, they shoot for the stars and try to create an album that just feels at times that they are trying too hard. This cd gets the party going with Temple of Acheron. This song has such an old school Arch Enemy feel. I dug the guitar sound early and Madie gave us a good little taste of what she can provide. Her voice does not feel epic but it feels comfortable in the center. Lights On is the obligatory song you get on all these female led power metal cds. That one song that I feel is more for commercial appeal than anything else. I feel if people are not bitching about Within Temptation and Epica doing it every other cd, why should I bitch now. The issue with the cd and the band is not the lead singer. Madie is capable of carrying any moment that the band can throw at her.
The problem with this cd is the band. They have a lead singer who can carry an emotional tone as well as a heavy one. They throw her into familiar formulas that just feel as if the band is content with not breaking new ground. Dead Sun at least tried to be different from the pack. This cd wants to be part of the pack. Bands like Accept show that you can take a new singer and just go into the deep end of the pool and others will drown just to be there with you. The guitars have moments of epic greatness then they go into these familiar roads that you know how the song is going to go from there. I did not hate this cd. I like the band and their last few records. I held faith that they can keep it together and build on a solid lineup. I feel that this lineup is promising if they just let Madie go outside of this comfort zone that the band has. Next lineup of Nightmare will have Ritchie Blackmore, Ripper Owens, Jizzy Pearl and Mike Portnoy.
