Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: NIGHTSTRYKE; signed via Lost Realm Records, hailing from Finish grounds - performing Heavy Metal, on their sophomore album entitled: "Storm Of Steel" (released October 16th, 2020). Since formation in 2015; the quartet in question have a Demo entitled: "The First Stryke" (released June 1st, 2016), 2 Singles entitled: "Neon Killer" (released August 4th, 2017) and "Dogfight" (released October 18th, 2018). Finally; 2 Full-Length Albums entitled: "Power Shall Prevail" (released November 15th, 2017), and this here 2nd album that I am introduced to entitled: "Storm Of Steel". 10 tracks ranging at around 34:45; NIGHTSTRYKE arrange an intricately designed formula of some heavy-hitting Heavy Metal developments.

Opening up with the acoustic introductory strum: "Black Lotus"; NIGHTSTRYKE unleash this scorching attack advancing into "Read The Omens". Catchy adrenaline fueled with this old school aesthetic in amplified hooks, blistering fretwork crunchiness and a somewhat psychedelic sound production expertise in implementing a boisterously bouncy barrage on frolicking chugs that perform this trailblazing yet skyrocketing panache while thundering with synergetic grooves in which rumble with reverberating technicalities on tenaciously systematic stability. "Deathstalker" demonstrates a vibrantly quirky showcase on rompy sturdiness; rampantly triggering with spellbinding remedies, solidifying this killer laceration ability, attributing in uniquely versatile vehemence while shredding with a healthy dose of some gnarly characteristics in complexly constructive instrumental chaos & concretely gritty harmonies.

Consisting of Rami Hermunen on guitars/vocals; the front man excels at a creative boundary on riveting rhythms, while reveling with these throaty but high-pitched pipes that scream with yelling roars & sublime singing persistence. Resonating with razor-sharp dexterity, dynamically charging into a hardened haste of traditional riffs & sonically seamless substance. "Dogfight" executes more twinning guitar firepower from Juho Karppinen; arming a brimming fabrication on flamboyantly driven chisels on integral density, subjugating these rawly rough strikes that pursuit with this meticulous manifestation on relentlessly ripping tempos & volatile yet monolithic robustness. "Chains Of Faith" begins with yet another acoustic flair; after... embellishing on experimental grinds in hybrid skull rattlings on punchy jumpiness & chunky slayings that stampede with profuse pandemonium perseverance that will keep horns held high! A ballad-esquire anthem, merged with these rapidly swift nimbles for good measure.

Audible bassist Vilppu Nurminen injects an infectiously venomous thump on monstrously meaty thuds that salubriously supplies primitively tight fuzziness; harnessing an enriching distil on fluidly polished melody that echo into groundbreaking territory, momentously portraying this thrilling maelstrom technique on weighty velocity. "Nosferatu" organically establishes a crushing drum hammering from Antti Selenius who rambunctiously pummels the set with steely precision, pile-driving with slamming yet immensely intense thickness...while a blazing guitar solo marvelously intrudes eardrums with wildly rushing finesse. "Knee Deep In The Dead" is a briskly Speed Metal kicker; a full-throttle bruising belter until mid-portion slowing down for a more pounding resound until more Metal mayhem ramps up with rollicking velocity. until the short but acoustic segue "Innominatus" takes over with this hypnotic but eerie instrumental.

The penultimate track: "Stranger's Blade" turns into a heavy steady of outlandish gallops; frantically treading with sometimes bombastic calamities, between rising through upbeat virtuosity & quintessential surges that howl into a bellowing shriek of ACCEPT-like "Metal Heart" strums while old school Paul Di'anno IRON MAIDEN era culminates this miraculous transition of deadly heaviness that marvelously engages a headbanging breakneck of bulldozing songwriting musicianship throughout the recording presentation... While the overall concluding titular track oscillates with more crisp but memorable revolutionaries that will make you want to break chairs over other chairs as you rock on with the mellifluous yet energetic impactfulness on distorted distinctives.

Bottom line; I am compelled to say that NIGHTSTRYKE was just what I needed on this day; "Storm Of Steel" is a True Heavy Metal spectacle of might that will quench your thirst for more re-playability of this empowering slab of tastefully distinguished excellency. A distinctively enjoyable but entertaining experience that most certainly deserves discovering, and a few spins or more are most merited within this release. A Heavy Metal fan's wet dream of masterclass material! Check it out.