It has been some time since I last heard news from the NIGHTINGALE camp. Mr. Dan Swano - or as I prefer to call him Steve Di Giorgio's evil twin - returns with a brand new NIGHTINGALE album and intends to show that some people have a wrong opinion on what Progressive Metal exactly is. Let's see if this all-star band can convince us about their skills.
NIGHTINGALE is one of Dan Swano's many bands/projects (that's why I call him Di Giorgio's evil twin). The man behind this band has participated in bands like EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH and KATATONIA to name a few. This band is not the same with the others. This time it is not about Death Metal and stuff, this time we have to do with a Progressive Metal band that for those of you who don't know it, exists for twelve whole years! This is their sixth full-length release, which is issued through Black Mark. In fact, all of their releases have been released through Black Mark!
I started listening to White Darkness and I realized that NIGHTINGALE's music produces a feeling a few bands can, the feeling of relaxation and peacefulness. Some may call it symphonic Hard Rock or Progressive Metal/Rock, but the fact is that this band can surely beat the living crap out of bands that pollute the term progressive with their stinky tunes (guess who). Every member offers its own style and they all create a unique RUSH meets OPETH meets VANDEN PLAS meets RIVERSIDE sound. Diversity is definitely the first word in their dictionary. The production is kick-ass and it helps the overall result elevate itself even higher. White Darkness, which seems like an audio form of Swano's soul, contains almost everything a Progressive Metal fan could ask for. Heavy fucking tunes that challenge you to headbang, chill out moments that travel you to places far from reality and Hard Rock melodies that remind us the root of all evil. While I was listening to this album, I was reading the booklet, where the members speak about the songs. Every single song describes personal struggles and they are really beautiful.
Nice music, nice production, great lyrics and an artwork that really deserves your attention are definitely a package that deserves your money. Mr. Swano did it again and we can't do otherwise than bow before his gloriousness.
PS: The symbols on the cover mean Never give up, Swano speaking...