Nocturnal Rites
Grand Illusion

THE REVIEW

A great comeback. Powerful. Technically enviable. Swedish. No true masterpiece in their decades-long discography, but always good products marked by a unique sound, which in every episode never fails to appear renewed. In short, they truly know what they're doing. After parting ways with Anders Zackrisson following the beautiful "The Sacred Talisman" of 1999, Nocturnal Rites turns to the much more incisive Jonny Lindkvist. The production of the album is clearly better than the previous "New World Messiah," which remains a high-quality product and one of the band's best albums.

The opening is entrusted to the single "Fools Never Die," a song sure to be a commercial success: it's an extremely melodic, compact metal, without too many frills, that goes straight to the listener's heart. Nils Norberg's solos fit perfectly into the tracks. The album leans much more towards classic heavy than power. Few keyboard lines, not overly fast songs. "Never Trust" is aggressive enough without reaching unimaginable speeds, just like the beautiful "Still Alive," the highlight of the entire album. As captivating as ever even on tape, we can only imagine it live. The choruses of the various tracks are well-crafted, getting stuck in your head and never leaving. Another great performance is "Something Undefined," though less impactful than the initial tracks. Similar to this is "Our Wasted Days," but it boasts a stunning chorus, one of the album's most successful moments. "Cuts Like A Knife" is decidedly more imposing, where the power element takes the upper hand. There is a more substantial use of orchestral effects, marching tempo, and filtered vocals. "End Of Our Rope" is another gem. Melodic, passionate, showcasing all of Lindkvist's skill. There are few singers like him. Also beautiful is Norberg's solo. "Never Ending" is another fast, very heavy track that lifts the mood after the calm of the last songs. "One By One" remains a bit anonymous, a typical filler track that hardly stands out from the rest. The power sounds return with the closing track "Deliverance," structured in a distinctly different way. It could almost be a ballad. Engaging.

Almost nothing to discard in this album, certainly not the most original, but nonetheless an excellent work that brings this multifaceted band back into the spotlight. In the limited edition, you will also get a DVD with four music videos, three from the previous "New World Messiah" and the single "Fools Never Die."
What more could you ask for?