There are Metal acts that never update their ways of making music, some due the fear they have of their fans, others that do not want, and others that don’t know how to do it (and are many examples of this last case on Metal’s history). But some seems to do it so easily that throw shame on others, renewing things in a way that brings refreshment and new life to their musical work, and for sure the French quintet NIGHTMARE. After 45 years of existence, they’re still here surprising the fans, and “Encrypted” proves such words.

Simone Mularoni was hired to produce, mix and master the songs of the album, having François Carle (recording of the drums) and Eliott Tordo (recording of the vocals and keyboards), and the final result: a modern and defined sonority, allowing the band to express its musical work on a great way. As guests on backing vocals, here are Adrien G. Gzagg, Christophe Martin, David Amore, and Fabrice Emmanuelson. And the artwork of Franck Jeannin reinforces the idea of dealing with something young and full of energy. Yves (the bass player and editor-in-Chief of Metallian mag and co-founder of the label Metallian Editions) is the only original member of the quintet, and Barbara, Franck, Matt and Niels are experienced musicians that played on bands of Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Heavy Metal, Black Metal and other genres.

It seems that all their load of musical experiences and musical tastes brought to NIGHTMARE’s music different and new elements that added energy and youth to it, without mischaracterize their inner musical core. It’s modern and full of an aggressive energy, but yet melodic and carefully arranged (and many keyboards are giving a melodic temper in some parts), and it’s a kick in the ass of the ‘more-of-the-same’ bands that are ‘retired-in- activity’ (those that have nothing more to offer, but still insist to play and steal the place for those who really have anything to say). It’s an amazing release, indeed!

An nothing is expandable on “Encrypted”, the songs are all amazing and deserve a careful listening. From “Nexus Inferis” (a thunderous song with many modern elements and melodies, but what hazardous and destructive work on bass guitar and drums, and such lovely and melodic chorus is hard to resist to), “The Blossom of My Hate” (there are moments with Melodic Death Metal traces due the intense rhythms and harsh vocals, but what lovely melodic leads and arrangements of the guitars), passing by the brutal modern grasp of “Voices from the Other Side” (what great melodies), “Saviours of the Damned” (the song chosen for their video, and its combinations of modern and aggressive elements with a careful melodic outfit is amazing, with excellent vocals and backing), “Wake the Night” (a slow and bitter song with amazing guitars) and “Encrypted” (here the melodies are in great evidence, with arrangements of the guitars and bass guitars that are outstanding), and spearheading with “Incandescent” (this one deserves its names, because the drums are using very good double bass parts), “White Lines” (that under its melodic modern outfit lies the clear essence of 80s Heavy Metal, again with a fine exhibition of bass guitar and drums on the rhythms), and “Borderlines”, nothing can be left out. And as if it wasn’t enough, here is a re-recorded version for “Eternal Winter”, from their 2009 album, “Insurrection” (what oppressive tempos!).

It’s amazing to see a pioneer working with such energy today, and to hear an amazing release as “Encrypted”. Maybe NIGHTMARE still has more 45 years to live after creating such offering!