Year: 2024
Total Time: 35:24
Label: Apostasy Records
The Germans NIGHT IN GALES return with their ninth album, «Shadowreaper», released on December 6th via Apostasy Records. The band, known for maintaining a stable lineup since 1995 and steadily releasing music since 2018, continues to deliver work that reflects their experience and dedication to their craft.
After four consecutive albums produced by Dan Swanö, this time the production was entrusted to Fredrik Nordström. Nordström, the mastermind behind some of the genre’s classic, groundbreaking works of the 1990s recorded at the legendary Studio Fredman – «Slaughter of the Soul» (AT THE GATES), «The Jester Race» and «Whoracle» (IN FLAMES), and «The Gallery» (DARK TRANQUILLITY) – has achieved a result that perfectly captures the raw, live energy the band sought. Listening to the album feels like stepping directly into a rehearsal room or a concert venue, instantly immersed in the action.
The album cover for «Shadowreaper» was created by Italian artist Paolo Girardi, a well-known figure in the international Extreme Metal scene who has worked with bands such as INCANTATION, CRYPTOPSY, and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, among many others.
The album opens with «Into the Evergrey» a track that seamlessly blends acoustic introductions with striking shredding. Christian Müller’s vocals remain powerful, while the melodies and intricate details craft an atmosphere that immediately captivates the listener. The song culminates in a rhythm that sticks in your mind, dynamically setting the tone for the album.
The following tracks, «The Horrors of Endlessness» and «Open the Sun», continue with intensity and emotion. The riffs are impressive, and the blast beats add to the overall energy. As the album progresses, the compositions grow increasingly complex, peaking with «The Nihilist Delta» where the standout vocals and an orchestral section elevate the track to new heights. «Spirals», the album’s first single, stays true to the band’s signature style but takes some time to fully resonate.
The momentum carries on with «Dead Inside», while «Window to the End» serves as a bridge to the more nostalgic «Sculptured and Defleshed» which pays homage to both the band’s past and the melodic Death Metal scene of the 1990’s. However, some repetitive elements toward the end slightly detract from the track’s impact.
The closing song, «Walk of Infinity», brings back the intensity, wrapping up the album with a strong dose of energy and groovy rhythms, leaving a lasting positive impression.
The essence of melodic Death Metal remains unaltered in «Shadowreaper». Some modern elements that NIGHT IN GALES have incorporated into this release, have been added with finesse, offering a fresh take on the classic sound.
In just 36 minutes, NIGHT IN GALES deliver a dynamic album that is both easily approachable and sufficiently complex to captivate long-time fans of the genre. With «Shadowreaper», the band solidifies its place even further in the history of melodic Death Metal.
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Antonis Braikidis
Related Link: NIGHT IN GALES – Official Page
