NIGHT – Soldiers of Time
- Posted on 03-04-2015
The younger generation crave acts today that embody a lot of the essence of late 70’s and early 80’s heavy metal: guitars that empower through their chord progressions and twin melodies, a bass pumping out a groovy low-end which often helps galvanize and give tracks gallop plus steady drumming and high octane vocals to deliver the total denim and leather oriented package. Sweden’s Night aim to bring the 80’s heavy metal before 1981 attitude to their music on their second full-length album "Soldiers of Time" – right down to taking on stage names such as Burning Fire (vocals, guitars), Midnight Proppen (guitars), and Highway Filip (bass).
The 11 songs on this record are traditional and classic in nature, high on a lot of steady twin guitar lines that Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden fans crave. "Above the Ground" and "Across the Ocean" set the tone early on for their quick salvos and very melodic riff choices. Occasionally stretching their boundaries in more of a 70’s acoustic overtone for "Towards the Sky" as well as the brief 91 second instrumental "Wanderlust", while there are other numbers that perfect the mid-tempo, fist in the air anthem template that Saxon and Accept still deliver- "Power" and "Kings and Queens" two sure fire numbers to set Night crowds ablaze.
A possible deterrent to full sonic pleasure may occur in the high pitch vocal acrobatics of Burning Fire. It’s a case where his determination and passion is undeniable, but the possible in key register during the higher sections of "Waiting for a Time" through the lower melodies on the epic, slow building 6:27 closer "Stars in the Sky" could be called into question. For my money, it’s not a deal breaker for overall performance and songwriting enjoyment, but could be something Night takes into account on future records.
Night resonate well with my teenage discovery of classic heavy metal, so be sure to seek out this Swedish act if the 80’s are the best decade for your collection.