I always love when a new heavy metal band is brought to my attention out of the blue as in the case of NOTÖRIOUS, a hard rock band from Bergen, Norway that officially formed in 2018, but both musically and style vice, their roots come from the iconic bands of the 70s and 80s. NOTÖRIOUS takes great pride in their live performances, and they always give 110%. What you see is what you get, and that is the four guys ripping it up on stage, giving you the finest of bone crushing, ear deafening Rock N Roll. Party guaranteed! The band sets itself apart by their ability to mix different genres and styles into their music, yet still maintaining that old school classic hard rock sound whilst mixing Black Metal with catchy riffs, high-pitched screams and irresistible choruses, they call their music “True Norwegian Glam Metal” and on January 19, 2024 have released their sophomore album “Marching On” on the Pride and Joy Music label.

After a brief “Intro” set the stage beautifully for a high energy outburst of heavy grooving riffs that lead the way as the powerful crisp vocals take center stage ripping straight through anchored by the precise backline of bass and drums on “Manimal” that have all the ingredients of the classic 70’s and 80’s metal allure but implementing a fresh and distinct sound. “All Night” opens up with a playful riff and appears to be taking us down the “rock ballad” road with a softened tempo and tranquil melody coupled with balanced and delightful harmonies in a true “lighters in the air” song. Two songs in and I’m on a journey back to memory lane when all that mattered was music, teasing my big, highlighted hair and squeezing into my leather pants. “Ain’t No Stoppin” (featuring Mark Boals) is a rocking anthem laced sing along grooving and moving with a lighting fast riff handcuffed with a smooth and swanky guitar lick driving down the “glam rock” highway with the top down and the Sunset Strip in my rear-view mirror.

“Eternal Fire” powers in straight balls out as the hardest song so far with classic hard metal riffs, whining guitar and a devouring and meaty tempo that had me up air guitaring and singing along at the top of my lungs. I don’t know if you can end on a stronger note than on the title track “Marching On” (featuring Henrik Skar) with strong blistering hooks that blast into hyper speed and a fast, turbo riff bundled together with feverish vocals and just for the fuck of it, releasing Henrik Skar at the end to toss in a dash of growling death metal vocals to put a kick ass explanation point on a wonderful album.

Well played NOTÖRIOUS, you made me a believer. “Marching On” is a “speakers cranked” helluva good time rocking album with the musical composition and the vocals all meshing together as one creating a throwback to the classic rock era.