Formed in 2015 in Nottingham, England by bass player Nick Hogg, NITRATE is a Melodic/AOR rock band heavily inspired by the late ‘80s rock scene. We can’t wait for everyone to hear the new album,” explains bassist/founder Nick Hogg. “There is a real buzz of excitement within the Nitrate camp like never before! We can’t wait for the album to finally hit the stores. This is ‘hand on heart’ the best album we have written and recorded, and Tom and James have devoted every waking moment over the past year to make the production the very best it can be.”

The title track is first. It’s a mid-tempo rocker with a sultry combination of guitars and keyboards, and a singer with a very nice voice. Indeed, Alexander can get into the upper ranges without the slightest hesitation or off pitch. “All the Right Moves” has a slower and more tender sound, and once again, it’s the combination of keyboards and guitars that really fuels the song so well. The chorus is catchy, and if you aren’t signing along, you probably have no joy in your life. “Needs a Little Love” has another very catchy sound, especially in the vocal harmonies in the chorus. It’s hard to capture the music of the 1980’s well, but so far, NITRATE is right on.

 “One Kiss” features Norwegian Pop star Issa Oversveen on vocals, and the ballad is quite beautiful. The duet sounds like it comes from two people who have reconnected after a while apart. “Live Fast, Die Young” also has a tender sound, which the band does so well, and the harmonies and melodies are on point. “Satellite” is slower moving, so the melodies have more time to develop. At times, I complain about too many songs with the same pace on an album, but that’s OK here, as NITRATE has a pension for memorable music. “Strike Like a Hurricane” has a lot more umph…and energy. A steady bass like holds down the bottom end while the vocals shine as bright as they do.

 “Big Time” has both a fun and catchy sound, and you can tell that one of the main tenants of the band is just to enjoy making music. “Stay” closes the album, and what a tender and melodic send off it is. “If you’ll only say you’ll stay” brings me back to the 80’s anthems I grew up on. As someone who was raised on 80’s music, the highest compliment I can give the band is how this album would have fit right into the scene at the time. Modern AOR/Melodic Rock suffers from one thing…the inability to compose hooks and come up with original material. NITRATE have busted through those limitations with “Feel the Heat,” and it’s a very memorable listening experience.