Starting in 2003 as NEMESIS as a Heavy/Power Metal band with Polish lyrics, this quintet morphed into NIGHT MISTRESS and slowly incorporated English lyrics into their compositions through a 2006 EP release "In the Land of the Freezing Sun". By 2011 they had enough material together to record their debut album "The Back of Beyond", and currently release their second full length "Into the Madness". Given this is my first exposure to the group, I'm immediately impressed by the expert composition skills on display through these 11 tracks - as NIGHT MISTRESS know how to keep their eyes and ears firmly on tight riffs, immediate hooks, and illuminating harmonies be it musically or vocally.

The band certainly pay homage to the NWOBHM movement throughout - a lot of the material has that riff power that brings people out of their seats to throw the horns and fist pump, check out "Hand of God" and double bass propelled "Madman" for the precise execution and yin/yang axe play from Arek and Robert. Occasionally cultural riffs come out that may bring IRON MAIDEN or RUNNING WILD to the forefront, as "Until the Day Will Dawn" clearly illustrates from its opening harmonies through the main chord choices and subtle tempo shifts from anthem to semi-overdrive. As a vocalist Chris has a multi-octave range that rivals the best in the business, never afraid to hitting the earth shattering bird call screams and also snarl in low parts for evil heaviness. I hear a lot of James Rivera (HELSTAR) and Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) in his tone and melody choices for highlights "Hell Race" and catchy closer "Recurring Night".

This is a necessary record for those of you that love the straightforward Heavy Metal style that incorporates melodic harmonies without being too bombastic or neo-classical shred orientated. Those into JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, and a little bit of the German sound a la GRAVE DIGGER should find "Into the Madness" worthy of maximum volume playback status.