There are moments within the life of a simple reviewer that he is taken completely unawares. This, my friends, is one of them. I can only say that I was completely flabbergasted when I noticed who the NIGHTHAWK singer is, as Björn Strid has always been one hell of a vocalist for SOILWORK. He also is very active within THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA. Now he is active in the very powerful Melodic Heavy Metal band with AOR undertones called NIGHTHAWK. I can’t find much more about the band on any sites. Today I will be reviewing their latest effort, an EP called ‘Live!” and it’s an absolute corker. This is how good music should sound. I am therefore very frustrated that this EP is only just over 11 minutes. I can only say that if this is the usual quality of the music they write and play, the world has another brilliant band to add to their portfolio.

Before NIGHTHAWK let loose “Live!” on us, they seemingly have released a studio album in 2021, named “Midnight Hunter” They also released another one earlier in 2023, which is called “Prowler”. I am currently in the process of downloading it, just to see if the studio versions of their music is just as powerful as the live ones. As I have just received the full package, I can tell you that it definitely is. The four songs on “Live!” actually are all within the first five tunes that you will find on “Prowler” and it is very reassuring, refreshing and absolutely positive to be able to experience that a band can transfer their live sound perfectly into a studio one.

It doesn’t matter which song you choose on “Live!”, the speed, intensity and conviction they are bringing to us as listeners must have you jumping from your seats, wagging your hips, tapping your feet and even banging your head, if even slightly, as to miss none of the good music you are hearing. And again, as for Björn Strid, he always has had the kind of appearance and use of his voice to sound overly convincing, and can confirm that he is able to do that in NIGHTHAWK as well. All together this EP makes me want to acquire the band’s other releases in the right way. “Live!” is making me happy, however often I listen to it. And that, my friends, is a certified way of saying that I feel that NIGHTHAWK have released another gem. Now it’s up to me to find the other (official) ones.