by Justin Gaines
– Senior Columnist/News Editor —
After seven long years, we finally saw the return of Dan Swano’s Nightingale at the end of 2014. Retribution is the title of the new album, the band’s seventh release to date, and the first we’ve seen since 2007’s White Darkness. Of course, Swano hasn’t exactly been idle in Nightingale’s absence, introducing us in recent years to his excellent new Witherscape project. Still, Nightingale has such a unique and memorable identity that fans definitely felt its absence.
While there were moments on the Witherscape debut that brought to mind Nightingale, as soon as Retribution starts spinning you know you’re getting the real thing. It’s that unique combination of late ‘70s Prog (think Rush and especially Uriah Heep) with ‘80s rock melodies and this chilling, almost Gothic atmosphere that no other band has. That and the way that atmosphere seems to carry on so seamlessly across every new Nightingale release. That’s thanks in large part to Dan Swano’s keyboard work, though his dramatic vocal delivery also helps define the music.
It’s hard to tell if the “Breathing Shadow” storyline from previous Nightingale albums is carried over on Retribution, but there’s a decidedly epic and fantasy-based (not in a swords and dragons Power Metal sense) approach to the lyrics. It gives songs like “Lucifer’s Lament,” “Warriors of the Dawn” and “The Voyage of Endurance” a sense of grandeur.
Beyond the unique atmosphere and interesting lyrical content, it’s the captivating melodies and sheer quality of the music that initially grabs (and keeps) your attention. That’s true of all Nightingale albums, and Retribution is no exception. The only difference is that Retribution seems a bit more somber in tone than the previous albums, even having some Katatonia-esque moments.
The bottom line is that despite the long absence Swano and company clearly haven’t lost that Nightingale character and magic. Retribution will more than satisfy fans of the previous Nightingale albums, even if it might take a few spins to really sink in. It’s also a memorable enough release to win over new fans to the band, especially those who like to see the lines between progressive metal and melodic rock blurred.
Genre: Melodic Rock, Progressive Metal
Lineup:
Dan Swano (v) (g) (k)
Dag Swano (g) (k)
Erik Oskarsson (b)
Tom Bjorn (d)
Track Listing:
1. On Stolen Wings
2. Lucifer’s Lament
3. Chasing the Storm Away
4. Warriors of the Dawn
5. Forevermore
6. Divided I Fall
7. The Voyage of Endurance
8. 27 (Curse or Coincidence)
9. The Maze
10. Echoes of a Dream
Label: InsideOut Records
Website: www.facebook.com/nightingalesweden
Hardrock Haven Rating: 8.75/10
