CD Review: Nightmare - The Burden Of God

Written by Colin McNamara Friday, 13 July 2012 09:13

Artist: Nightmare
Title: The Burden Of God
Genre: Power Metal
Release Date: 18th May 2012
Label: AFM Records

Album Review

NIGHTMARE has been one of France’s better long-running Power Metal bands out there. Originally performing direct Heavy Metal before their breakup in 1987, they reformed with a much more varied sound and since them have put out album after album without much hesitation or radical change. Power Metal seems to have become their current focus, but one could certainly say that ‘The Burden Of God’ is one of their most polished and modern touched albums to date. Like their previous efforts, they still stick to the fantasy themes and draw on influences that sound like DIO or ICED EARTH at times, but the story is new as usual- with a few links to the past. One things fans will notice is the heavier use of symphonic sounds for atmosphere, from the opening ‘Gateways To The Void’ which sounds like something from E.S. POSTHUMUS to the synth and keyboards on ‘Crimson Empire’. Some symphonic parts have even been given a modern electronic/ techno tinge such as the beginning of ‘The Preacher’, which is always a nice touch to separate at least something from their previous efforts.

Of course, NIGHTMARE recently has always tried to keep some sort of link between their current and previous efforts much like a running concept album. Presented on ‘The Burden Of God’ is the third part of ‘The Dominion Gate’, originally displayed on the self-titled 2005 effort, followed up by ‘Part II’ on the 2007 ‘Genetic Disorder’. Epic as usual, ‘Part III’ opens slow and driving before picking up. It doesn’t have as much of a keyboard feel, but continues with the epic touch by adding in some of the choirs and horns and percussive thunder that made the opening of this album something to really enjoy. It is one of the few tracks on here that still show NIGHTMARE can stick to their Heavy Metal roots. The album pretty much stops there as far as recognizable NIGHTMARE material because the next two tracks sound completely different, both in style and production. Written by producer Patrick Liotard, ‘Final Outcome’ and ‘Aftermath’ have a bit of a fuzzier, harder edge to them along with more modern touches such as police siren samples that don’t really fit NIGHTMARE’S previous effort, but they are still enjoyable in a middle ground between Heavy Metal and Hard Rock. They may seem a bit strange, but overall listeners will probably agree that they work on the album just fine; the way a demo or remix track would for other bonus offerings from different bands. NIGHTMARE doesn’t deviate much from their previous effort, but this Power Metal driven story sounds much more polished and well executed compared to anything they’ve done so far.


Tracklist

01. Gateways to the Void - 2:26
02. Sunrise in Hell - 5:04
03. The Burden of God - 4:02
04. Crimson Empire - 5:04
05. Children of the Nation - 4:40
06. The Preacher - 5:43
07. Shattered Hearts - 5:45
08. The Doomsday Prediction - 4:20
09. The Dominion Gate (Part III) - 7:32
10. Final Outcome - 4:23
11. Afterlife (bonus track) - 3:50


Line-up

Yves Campion- bass
David Amore- drums
Franck Milleliri- guitars
Jo Amore- vocals
Matt Asselberghs- guitars


Website

www.nightmare-metal.com


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 7
Sound: 7
Total: 7 / 10