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Nocturnalia: III - Winter

Melodic Hard Rock

3.5/5.0

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The Sign Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.11.2019 | Released: 08.11.2019

After a short three year hiatus, while band members pursued varied and different projects, Sweden's Nocturnalia returns to offer their third long player, aptly titled III - Winter for The Sign Records.

Nocturnalia

Citing diverse influences such as Rainbow to Black Widow to the Viking metal of Bathory, Nocturnalia delivers classic guitar driven melodic hard rock, perhaps with a slight stoner vibe. Actually, the twin guitar harmony, sharp riffs, and extended solos are, perhaps, the band's most notable characteristic. If you like guitar rock, Nocturnalia, no doubt, is a band for you to consider. After this, I found the vocal arrangements to be most prominent, with vocalist Linus Lundgren having a melodic, yet a sometimes sullen and somber timbre, to his voice. His vocalizations are significant enough to add whole additional dimension to the Nocturnalia sound. Underneath these things, you'll find the rhythm section propelling the tunes with steady beat and groove. So then, on to a few song highlights.

With opening number, The Calling, you'll find Nocturnalia offering a lengthy melodic hard rock tune with a Western vibe. Think Ennio Morricone meets 70's classic rock. The aforementioned rhythm section propels the more speedy rock of Forsaken and Beyond The White. Yet, in the former, you'll find a mellow breakdown about three quarters in for a light guitar solo. For Winter Hymn, Nocturnalia offer a darker, more somber, tune with mostly thick riffs tied to Lundgren's voice. Alternatively, Come Alive begins with a softer start, with notable acoustic guitar, before rising to some heaviness around the midpoint, then leading to a thick guitar solo.

Essentially, as said earlier, if you like guitar-forward, bit dark and somber, classic hard rock, you will enjoy Nocturnalia's III - Winter. Check out the video below and support the band.

The Flower Kings: Waiting For Miracles

Melodic Progressive Rock

5.0/5.0

After a six year hiatus, Roine Stolt has regathered the flock, The Flower Kings, for a brand new album, Waiting For Miracles. (If you recall, last year he dropped a solo ... [ Read More ]

Essentially, if you like guitar-forward, bit dark and somber, classic hard rock, you will enjoy Nocturnalia's III - Winter.

Alphabetical Index

This experience deserves mention for one very good reason: Finland's One Desire is one of the best classic AOR melodic hard rock bands in the genre and, perhaps, the world, right now So, I also apologize, in ... [ Read More ]