MIDNIGHT FORCE from Scotland, is a band who belongs to the musical scene called New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal, which has grown vastly the last 10-15 years and has gained great popularity among metal fans. The scene is becoming stronger and stronger and many new bands are ‘’recruited’’ every day, giving strength and density to the lines of this particular musical movement. All these young metal musicians pledge their ‘’swords’’ – power / musical skills and efforts to the traditional sound of heavy metal, its aesthetics and image.
They have released 2 full-length albums and 3 EPs so far since 2016 and their progress from one release to another is quite remarkable. ‘’Severan’’ is their third full-length album and is coming 5 years after their sophomore album.
They remain firm, as far as the themes presented in their albums are concerned. They seem to love historic themes and this is the case in this album as well. Especially the new album, is dealing with historical facts or personalities and epic stories from all around the world in different historical eras, while the previous albums had a more medieval and eurocentric direction.
In ‘’Severan’’, the listener is having a marvelous journey back and forth in history, from ancient Greece, to the independence war of Haiti in the American continent, then to medieval Europe again, next going to the great Korean and Chinese imperial eras and last but not least to the ancient Roman Empire and the Severan dynasty, just to name a few examples. It is a great opportunity – occasion for the fans, to look up on (maybe) sometimes unknown to them facts or events.
Of course, I feel that I should make a special reference to the opener – track of the album, since the King Alexander the Third, of the ancient Greek (Hellenic) northern kingdom of Macedonia, is considered to be the Greatest Greek of All Times and since I am a Greek – Macedon myself, residing in the same area, where this unrepeatable historic personality was born and started everything, that later was accomplished.
It is called ‘’Megas Alexandros’’ (the Greek pronunciation for Alexander the Great). Musically the track is mid-tempo, with a doomy marching gallop from the guitars and performed in a charming style by the ominous voice of John Gunn. I cannot be very objective about such a song. I loved it.
Generally, this is music character of the album. The production represents a warm old-school NWOBHM-ish style, that is very interesting to listen today. The guitar and bass of Ansgar Burke and Brenden Crow, accompanied with the vivid drumming of Peter Werning makes the team really robust and more mature than the previous albums.
The voice of John Gunn is stronger than ever before, has a raw expressive timbre that serves the character of the songs in the best way. This vocal roughness and general sound, brings in mind MANILLA ROAD as a clear influence.
The songs are mid-tempo and with a doomy anthemic atmosphere. The riffs and solos are very vigorous and inspiring. The choruses are also easily memorable and stirring. I would say that other contemporary bands that have a similar sound are ANGEL SWORD and LORD FIST from Finland, while HELVETETS PORT from Sweden, may not have this roughness vocally / musically but have a similar old school sound.
The album is consisted of 9 songs and will satisfy listeners who like epic-style songs with epic lyrics. The outcome is, to my opinion, the stronger the band has ever presented so far in their discography. ‘’Severan’’ has surpassed in quality its predecessor, both musically and thematically / lyrically.
You should definitely check them out!!
The great cover artwork was hand-painted by Umbrae Lignorum Pyroart and was inspired by ancient Greek pottery art style.
‘’Severan’’ will be released on the 27th of September 2024 by Dying Victims Productions and will be available on LP, CD and Digital format.
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Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
