Fox Reviews Rock

Introduction

Nightblade are back again with their 5th album in 5 years! The UK based rockers use bands such as Shinedown and Pearl Jam as influences.

The following is what singer Mark Crosby has to say about their latest album!

“Hallelujah!  This album is the final piece of the puzzle which was started in March 2020. The intention was never to write and record five albums back-to-back, but the creative juices have continued to flow thick and fast.” Crosby goes on to add: “We have both developed and refined our sound along the way.  We are very proud of ‘5’, and collectively, we consider it to be the best album in our run of five. It contains ballads, quick riffs, mid-tempo, quirky, blues-crunch and many other diverse elements which usually make up a Nightblade album.”

Review

One Night On The Town

The beginning of this track leaves me wondering if I’m hearing a military march or being taken by extraterrestrials. Honestly, I would have preferred this segment as either the album’s opening track or as a later interlude. The first 38 seconds don’t work for me, making the album feel somewhat disjointed from the rest of the song.

However, once the actual song begins, the drumming and guitar work are impressively tight, and I really enjoy it. That said, we’ve now spent a full minute without any vocals. When it comes to the vocals, I definitely favour the chorus over the verses. The guitar throughout is exceptional, and the solo around the 40-second mark really captures my attention. Yet, the length of this solo contributes to a somewhat choppy feel to the song; perhaps it could have served better as the outro instead?

Grave Mistake

Wow, this track kicks off with a lot more attitude and bass—more of this, please! The progression gives it a more lively feel. The vocals resemble a fast-paced spoken word piece, which is fine, but I sense that his voice isn’t being fully challenged yet. The guitar solo is a great addition to a song that was starting to feel a bit monotonous. After the solo, the overall sound becomes more powerful and gritty, showcasing the band’s true strengths.

I’ll Be Home Tonight

I absolutely love the opening of this track, featuring an acoustic guitar that has a hint of Spanish influence. It brings to mind artists like Santana. Unfortunately, this vibe doesn’t stick around for long before it shifts into a more typical rock sound. Even after this transition, I still appreciate the guitar work. However, the vocals don’t quite do it for me; they seem somewhat disconnected, and the varying tones feel a bit strange.

Never Trust Another

Right from the start, this track is energetic, and I have to admit the vocals are significantly improved compared to the last song. He delivers a much stronger performance when he sings with confidence and at a quicker tempo. The drums provide a steady backdrop in an excellent manner, while the guitar and bass seamlessly complement the vocals. So far, this is the standout track on the album, and I absolutely adore the way the vocals shine when the instruments suddenly cut out.

“Well I hope you’re gonna meet somebody soon”

I was curious about when the guitar solo would kick in, since a Nightblade song wouldn’t feel complete without an amazing solo. I also enjoy the interplay between the vocals and the guitar solo sections.

Left At The Lights

The guitar riffs combined with the powerful drums create an incredible sound, and with the rapid-fire vocals, this track is shaping up to be another hit. However, I find it a bit disconcerting that the vocalist’s style varies so much across the different songs on this album. This particular track has a distinct punk vibe.

“Seems to me its gonna be another left at the lights.”

Speak As You Find

The opening of this track is driven by the bass, while the guitar and drums enhance the overall sound. I’m really enjoying the vocals, and this feels like yet another standout on the album. Interestingly, I find that I tend to favor the shorter songs the most. However, I do wish the prominent bass had been maintained throughout, as it fades away too quickly.

Heard It All Before

I’m fully invested in the fragmented guitar sound that kicks off the track, and the drums enhance the overall vibe. However, I’m finding the vocals to be a mixed bag; some lines are fantastic while others fall flat. Thankfully, as the song unfolds, certain vocal parts evoke a Metallica-like quality, but it’s not quite enough to save it. On a positive note, the guitar solo in this song stands out as the highlight of the album.

Where’s It Gonna Get You

I’m not fond of this song at all; the vocals feel drawn out, and the instrumentation is my least favorite as well.

What You Did Was Wrong

The gradual beginning of this track provides a refreshing change from the previous one, and the vocals are impressive as well. His voice has a beautiful quality here, smooth yet occasionally gritty without being overwhelming. I particularly appreciate the incorporation of keyboards into their sound, which has previously felt somewhat one dimensional. Although this may be the longest song on the album, it never drags on, unlike some of the other tracks.

Face Doesn’t Fit

This track stands out distinctly from the rest of the album, exuding an almost AC/DC-like energy. I’m really appreciating the instrumentation and the raw grit it brings. However, the chorus doesn’t resonate with me as much; the lyrics seem disjointed and at times feel forced. As always, the guitar solo is exceptional, and the rhythm guitar provides solid support. I’m uncertain about the concluding moments of the song and the album, as they come off as somewhat chaotic. I see the intention behind it, but it doesn’t quite land for me.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I believe ‘5’ is a brilliant title for the album, as it is exactly what I am going to score it. I found the vocal performances to be quite inconsistent; some moments were impressive, while others fell flat. The lack of cohesion in both the vocals and the songs as a whole detracts from the experience. While the guitar solos shine brightly throughout, the album as a whole fails to connect with me consistently.

5/10

All rights to the song in this review are retained by Nightblade. This site claims no rights over them. The images were provided by SaN PR.