Power metal. Kind of a problematic genre in heavy metal land. After all, what healthy, red blooded headbanger would stoop to wimpy fare like HAMMERFALL or STRATOVARIUS when he can listen to "real man's music" like MANOWAR or PANTERA? However, listening to this debut album by Swedish newcomers NIGHTSCAPE makes me wonder if we shouldn't judge these bands by different criteria. Because although its overabundance of cheese makes "Symphony Of The Night" fail miserably as a heavy metal record, it does succeed as a pop album.

The metal comes from the IRON MAIDEN-guitar harmonies, high pitched vocals and vocal harmonies à la URIAH HEEP and the speed of most of the songs. But the overall feel of this record has more in common with QUEEN, KLAATU, PILOT or even ELO. than with BLACK SABBATH. The most obvious case in point being the album's standout track, the impossibly cheerful "Home", where STYX-like pomp collides with MIKE OLDFIELD's folky 80's output. Wimpy or not, any band that can pen an instant pop classic like this has to have some qualities. If it's the kind of qualities needed for a heavy metal band is an entirely other matter, since like I said I don't really consider this a genuine heavy metal record. It's too nice and squeaky-clean for that. I don't care that the press info says power metal, to me "Symphony Of The Night" sounds like sped up symphonic pop. With some metal mannerisms and overtones, true, but in the end still a pop record. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Once you get past silly song titles such as "Haunted Hill" and "Curse and Damnation" and the occasional meedly-weedly keyboard bit you're left with a record that's incredibly well played and quite enjoyable simply on the strength of its song material. Unbelievable as it may sound, this headbanger kind of likes "Symphony Of The Night".

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.nightscape.se

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