YAY Nocturnal Rites are back to the way they should be
B. O'Leary | Boise, ID USA | 09/12/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I gave the last Nocturnal Rites album Afterlife a mixed review saying they went back to the way they were when they first started as a Death metal band but what I ment was NOT musicaly but Lyricly. But Im happy to announce they are Back to the way the first three album where so I love it. the songs are faster then the older songs but they have the catchy choures, and melodies again and the Lyrics dont talk about christ on a cross while the devil laughs and spits in disgust..(thats from Afterlife cd by the way) Nocturnal rites are suppose to be a Power Metal band that makes you feel good like Freedom call does and the first three NR cds did just that and soo does this one!
So just to clarifiy, If you like the first three cds Im pretty sure you'd like this one too I know I do. So thats My two cents take my advice or dont I really dont care."
Good but not as good as Afterlife...........
MetalMarc | Grand Rapids, MI USA | 10/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The new Nocturnal Rites is finally out in America. I wish century media would have realesed this earlier in the states as I know it was out a long time ago in Europe. Anyway the new album Shadowland once again displays Noctunal Rites great songwriting skills, guitar work, and vocal talents. However much of the agression and heaviness has been scaled back making this a very good but not great album. With Afterlife Nocturnal Rites was on the heavier side of power metal along with bands like Iced Earth, Nevermore, and Angel Dust. Now they are not a weak band but back towards the middle of the pack with bands like Hammerfall and Thunderstone. I perfer their heavier side. Heck even if the guitar tone was more chunky like on Afterlife this album would be close, but the bottom end seems to have been taken out of the guitar tone leaving the sound too bright and tingy sounding. It is still a very good album as the 4 stars indicate but it could have been a lot better. I really hear some great songs and melodies on Shadowlands just wish the guitars backed it with more thickness. Maybe next time they will use the producer they used on Afterlife for a heavier clearer tone to do their great songs justice. I recommended Shadowland for the great songs.Standout Tracks: Eyes of the Dead, Shadowlands, Never Die, Faceless God, The Watcher"
Shadowland!!
Gemstone | 04/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I like Nocturnal Rites. They are a power metal band with lots of Symphonic touches. This album is really good, with stand out songs such as Birth Of Chaos, Vengence and Eyes of the Dead. Recommended to fans of Nightwish, Helloween, Stratovarius, Edguy etc"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1