During the end of Metal years in the USA (namely the years between 1990 and 1991, the coming of the first echoes of Alternative Rock and the commercial explosion of Grunge Rock), many good names arose on those days, never knowing of what would come in a short time. Still today, many works that were to be born on those days are gaining life, as can be heard on "King of the Rumble", the new work from the North American band NIGHTBREAK. In a way between Glam/Hard Rock of the 70's and 80's and US Metal, this album is the brainchild of Todd Verni, who founded the early incarnation of the band in 1991 (when it was called WICKED YOUTH). It's not bringing anything new at all, but it has a personal charm and energy, and this specific musical genre never loses its energy or catchy vocation to bring charming melodies, catchy choruses and a musical work based on a musicality sobriety (but solid as a rock), and with a very good balance between weight and elegance.

Dan Malloy is the producer of "King of the Rumble", and he created something that sounds clean and heavy in the both ways, and that fits in a very good shape to the band's musical work, besides the volume on the guitars could be a little better. Everything sounds modern and actual, and not moldy and outdated, even with the instrumental tunes being always simple and clean.The musical work on this album is really good, but the best shots are presented on "In It to Win" (a fine song with the right balance between weight, aggressiveness and weight, with good guitars, and a very good chorus), "Out of Time" (very good tempos and melodies, with bass guitar and drums doing a fine work), "Cheap Wine" with its mix between musical accessibility and Hard Rock ferine touch, and the bitter energy and slow tempos of "Fallen".

"King of the Rumble" is very good release, but the vocals must mature a bit more (the use of some high tunes isn't working too well). Leaving this aspect aside, enjoy NIGHTBREAK's work as much as you can.