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Nightrage > Wearing a Martyr's Crown > Reviews > abatzkon
Nightrage - Wearing a Martyr's Crown

Nightrage candidate to lead the scene??? - 86%

abatzkon, August 11th, 2010

Nightrage - Wearing a Marty’s Crown
Rating: 87/100

The Gothenberg melodic death metal sound has made a name for itself through the years and bands such as At the Gates, In Flames and Dark Tranquility have long been the pioneers for the genre.

At some point in 2003 a new band emerged and that band’s name was Nightrage (NR). Though NR has gone through several changes in its recent history, one thing has stayed the same, and that’s Marios Iliopoulos’s will to contribute with his amazing song writing skills and tremendous musicianship to the core sound that is, melodic death metal.

Those who are familiar with NR should know that this has been Marios’s band from the very beginning, which he founded with his blood brother Gus G. Placing immense value on previous band members, such as major screamer Tomas Lindberg, classic genre drummer Per Moller Jensen and of course amazing solo guitarist Gus G is actually crediting NR’s success to the wrong direction.

In my opinion what previous NR members added to Marios’s compositions is bits that made his earlier works shine even further and even brighter. The main work though and 99% of the music, meaning riffs, solos, acoustic guitars, twin guitar work and the like, that we have come to appreciate and love come directly from the main riff-master, guitar prodigy and great musician that is Marios Iliopoulos. Furthermore, the fans of this particular genre and even more those of NR, owe that much recognition to Marios Iliopoulos and that is something I felt I needed to stress on, since even in critiques and reviews of NR material, many seem to (deliberately or not) forget it.

Eventually coming to NR’s fourth full-length attempt, “Wearing a Martyr’s Crown” one sees a band in the process of getting back to its roots, to the core of what one could define it to be, the melodic death metal genre. Not that the band had ever strayed too far. Marios is famous for being able to successfully combine aggression and melody. This is what NR do best. They open up with a ferocious death metal riff that does carry melodic lines within it and then back it up with an amazing, highly memorable and full of melody chorus that the listeners won’t be able to take out of their minds even after the album has finished. A good example is opener “Shed the Blood”. Twin guitars, beautiful solos and acoustic parts are also crucial in NR’s sound. For instance, take a good listen to “A Grim Struggle” where Marios masterfully blends heaviness with an amazing acoustic melody that works as a bridge introducing an incredibly passionate solo immediately after! Or listen to the second solo of the title track where one can hear what a profound guitar player Marios is and how his soloing style is unique and not just another copycat of the greats, just like so many other metal musicians.

Moreover, there is a lot of feeling within most of the songs of this last album. Songs like “Collision of Fate”, “A Grim Struggle”, “Wearing a Martyr’s Crown” and the never missing instrumental “Strings of Remorse” (one of the finest that NR have ever written) are great examples of melo-death tunes with a lot of soul and feel for genuine melodies that will speak directly to one’s heart!

The members joining Marios in this 4th attempt are Antony Hämäläinen vocalist, Anders Hammer bassist, Jo Nunez drummer and Olof Mörck guitarist.

Starting off with the rhythm section I have to say that the dudes do a superb job on “Wearing a Martyr’s Crown”. I think it’s one of NR’s best efforts in terms of achieving a solid low-end frequency complemented by earth shattering double bass drumming. Nunez is filling the songs well with nothing groundbreaking in terms of style, still effectively satisfying the norm for melodic death metal. Adding a great sound for the toms, bass and snare to that and you really can’t ask for more in terms of his instrument!

Furthermore, the guitars and vocals sound phenomenal. I think Olof has a thing for melody and it really shows in his solos. They are both technically solid and impressive but very melodic as well. That’s an excellent combination that adds to NR’s music and sound. The new vocalist is an addition to the right direction for the band. Antony has the ability to sing both clean and brutal vocals and the man has a firm range. I think his style suits very well with the music on here. Having seen NR perform live in a full house in Thessaloniki for their Greek tour in 2010, I must admit that Antony’s performance was as good as in the album. Not very often do you get that, especially in death metal.

The production and mix done in Fredman Studios is one of NR’s best to date and can be summarized as a great sounding rhythm section (bass frequency has great depth to it and the drum sound is as described above phenomenal) upon which riffs, twin guitars, acoustic parts and solos are naturally built. The vocals both clean and brutal sound awesome. The guitar sound is thick with a lot of gain and enough layers to it, to make it sound just right for a melodic death metal album. All in all, “Wearing a Martyr’s Crown” sonically is a very good effort by the band and producer Fredrik Nordström.

In an effort to further promote the new album, NR did their second ever video for “Wearing a Martyr’s Crown” with Bob Katsionis. The video is showing the band playing to the title track in the studio. Excellent song choice by the band, with the end-result being impressive and of professional quality clearly.

In conclusion, if you have heard of Nightrage, you should know to expect melodic death metal of the highest quality and therefore you should go and get this album before it runs out! If you have not yet heard of them, (which I find almost impossible if you’re a melo-death listener) then give it a shot. You will be very thrilled. Trust me.