NIGHTRAGE - Descent Into Chaos

NIGHTRAGE
Descent Into Chaos
Century Media Records
8/10





Nightrage brings the listener a thrashing attack that rests right upon the cusp of death metal on “Descent Into Chaos”. With superior screamer Tomas Lindberg fronting this rather aggressive group, there’s little doubt that comparisons to Lindberg’s former ensemble, the much revered At The Gates, will instantly come to mind.

Lindberg sounds somewhat more focused here, lashing out with raspy barks that are a perfect compliment to the chugging, intensity the band delivers. ‘Phantasma’ is truly a killer cut, sounding like the angrier big brother of Dark Tranquillity, relying more upon sheer, brute force than atmospheric concepts. It is a bit surprising to hear “Poems” sounding accessible; the riffs mirror Shadows Fall somewhat, while the vocal onslaught continues with gruff intensity. The striking imagery that graces the disc’s cover relays the over the top intensity that Nightrage brings to the table on the title track, a rabid, violent thrasher that cuts a swath toward sonic annihilation.

Nightrage knows when to lock into a groove and although there is a great deal of faster-tempoed ideas on this record, this five piece plays together tightly, opting to beat the listener over the head repeatedly rather than make swift strikes which seldom connect. Gus G. (Dream Evil) definitely makes his presence known on the tuneful thumper ‘Frozen’, injecting a melodious riff into the foray. Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity) guests on this track further adding to the inventiveness of the group’s overall sound with some well-placed clean vocals. These vox give the song an interesting hook that is quite memorable.

The addition of some fantastic guitar soloing makes this song one of the highlights of the record. The detuned, bottom heavy sounds of “Silent Solitude” make for a solid moshpit anthem that again reaches for a growling hook from Lindberg. Producer Patrik J. Sten hes a great ear for putting out this style of music, everything is mixed very well and the levels all line up in order to create a full sound that is heavy as hell, but slightly polished as well. Things get hectic on “Omen”, which is delivered at a breakneck pace, designed for total thrashing and destined to get crowds going crazy.

A break from the intensity is found in ‘Solus’, an instrumental focused of melody and power that reminds the listener of “Risk” era Megadeth.

Nightrage pays homage to old school thrash metal on the venomous “Reality vs. Truth”, which closes out the album on a headbanging note, sounding similar to an even more intense version of The Haunted.

“Descent Into Chaos” is a powerful album on several levels is definitely one of the surprises of 2005.


Written By: The Boatman