Free Metal Monday: Nightmare-Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2016

California metal band Nightmare released this three-track demo on November 28, 2016. There is no information to go with it, but seeing as it is vintage heavy metal with a N.W.O.B.H.M. tint it is all good! With a slightly raw production job that recalls some of those late seventies/early eighties underground gems, I hear traces of Witchfinder General, Cloven Hoof, Angel Witch, and Blitzkrieg. I'm sure there are more influences lurking about, but honestly it's a name-your-price release that is so good that I just don't care! This one easily stands up tall next to some of the more recent retro offerings and the N.W.O.T.H.M.

French Metal Friday: Nightmare-Dead Sun

AFM Records
2016

Nightmare is a highly-regarded French heavy metal band that was initially active from 1979-1988. Originally a N.W.O.B.H.M.-inspired traditional heavy metal act (and a damn good one at that!), Nightmare released two albums during their first run (1984's "Waiting for Twilight" in 1984 and 1985's "Power of the Universe"). Both classics in their own right, "Waiting for Twilight" and "Power of the Universe" turned Nightmare into a household name. After a break in the action, Nightmare returned to the scene in 1999 as a power metal outfit. Since then the group has released a EP, a compilation album, and countless full-length recordings. The simply incredible "Dead Sun" is Nightmare's brand new album and it serves as the two year follow-up to "The Aftermath".  The album introduces two new players in lead vocalist Maggy Luyten (Beyond the Bridge, Frameshift, ex-Spirittales, ex-Virus IV, ex-Beautiful Sin, ex-Ayreon, ex-Over Us Eden, Master of Waha) and drummer Olivier Casula (Sangdragon (live), ex-Thalidomide, ex-Necrosphera, ex-The Seven Gates). Meanwhile Nightmare's two guitarists are Franck Milleliri (ex-Dark Light) and Matthieu Asselberghs (Architekt, Sangdragon, ex-Fire Wizzard). Only bass guitarist Yves Campion (ex-Urgent)  remains from the original line-up, but given the overwhelming sense of chemistry on display here you would never guess that in a million years! Starting off with the nice and crunchy "Infected", Nightmare's "Dead Sun" is hard & heavy power metal that is absolutely stone-cold savage in it's delivery!! Like 2014's "The Aftermath" the guitar solos on "Dead Sun" are stunningly-technical and ferociously-fast. Bassist Yves Campion picked two stellar axe men in Franck Milleliri and Matthieu Asselberghs. Of course Nightmare's bass guitarist is no slouch himself. His playing adds a bold exclamation point to Nightmare's string section and it makes that part of the band all the more better. It was back in 2012 that I first when I discussed this veteran outfit and it sure does seem as if Yves Campion gets slicker and sicker with each new recording! Speaking of things that are slick and sick, Nightmare's new front-lady Maggy Luyten is AWESOME on the mic!! This powerhouse vocalist takes over for the departed Jo Amore and adds a new and improved presence to what was already a intimidating outfit. She also injects some much needed youthful energy into this long-running metal band. While new drummer Olivier Casula does help things along in that regard, Maggy Luyten is ultimately the one that turns back the clock for this older French metal band. Reportedly born in 1978, Nightmare's new addition on the mic might have only been a year old when this French power metal band first came together, but man alive, does she ever sound as if she has been there forever! I know I mentioned it already, but the chemistry on this album is insane!! Collectively these five musicians sound as if they have been playing together for years. When you combine that with great power metal songs and a top-notch production there is nothing to do but play this one as LOUD and PROUD as you can!! With 11 cutting edge numbers in all, "Dead Sun" is one of the best power metal albums of 2016!!! 

French Metal Friday: Nightmare-The Aftermath

AFM Records
2014

French metal gods Nightmare are now 35 years into their career. To put that into perspective we're talking about (roughly) the same time period that the N.W.O.B.H.M. first started out! Way before home computers, MTV and bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer these French metalheads were cranking out their own Iron Maiden/Judas Priest-inspired N.W.O.B.H.M and if you want to hear what a real classic heavy metal platter sounds like then let me recommend "Waiting for the Twilight" (Nightmare's 1984 debut album which has shades of not only Priest and Maiden, but early Def Leppard) or for that matter their 1985 follow-up, "Power from the Universe"! Those two early Nightmare LPs seem to float towards the top of my personal playlist more often then not as they are both just all-around good heavy metal recordings! A lot has transpired since that time though so for those looking for a more in-depth bio of the band you would do well to check out my previous article on this fantastic power metal outfit that is linked below. Meanwhile we find ourselves in the here and now and these days the band is fronted by drummer turned lead singer Jo Amore. It's no secret that Jo's voice comes across as very Ronnie James Dio at times and on "The Aftermath" that observation holds as true as ever! Of course his backing bandmates are in fine form as well here on album number nine (the band's first new album in two years with their last LP being the well-received "The Burden of God") and they continue onward and upward with their high-class take on power metal! As usual the riffs are heavy and the leads are epic and for Nightmare (a band which lives up to it's name these days thanks to the ominous nature of their delivery!) they continue to stand tall and proud waving the banner of French metal for all to see. Unfortunately they seem to be somewhat like their fellow countrymen Killers in he fact that no matter how good they are or how consistent their version of heavy metal is they have a hard time catching on with fans here in the states. Naturally it's a lose for the fans more then for the band as people who haven't got into Nightmare simply do not know what they are missing out on! "The Aftermath" is kick-ass menacing power metal that is modern in form without betraying the group's classic heavy metal roots. It's track after track of heavy chugging riffs, sick bass and bow down to the thunder drumming and it has one of those "Take no shit from no one" feelings in regards to it's attitude. For anyone reading this who digs total power metal muscle you couldn't go wrong by trying "The Aftermath" on for size!

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2012/01/french-metal-friday-nightmare.html