Formed in 1990, [b]Nocturnal Rites[/b] started out as a deathmetalband. Around 1993 however, their sound had changed to traditional heavy metal. They liked this style of music, so they kept making heavy / powermetal ever since. Lying before me is the latest record of the band, [i]New World Messiah[/i]. For the ones of you who looked at the score: you might already have a pretty good impression of my opinion on this album. Let�s continue, shall we? Well, I�ll keep this short. The melodic powermetal this cd contains is extremely catchy, yet still �hardcore�. Quite an achievement, I�d say. Most bands who let their music sound this way are labeled �soft� or �commercial�. [b]Nocturnal Rites[/b] manages to stay �true� throughout the whole album, whoah! The heavy guitars, fast and solid drums, pumping bass and a powerful voice which simply deserves a great deal of respect, the band charges fullspeed ahead. Songs like [i]Avalon[/i] and [i]One Nation[/i] are simply amazing. Everything is just perfect on this album. Vocals powerful and melodic, but not beyond the singer�s reach, great musical diversity (from classic choir-like heavymetal chorus on [i]Avalon[/i] to arabian sounds on [i]Egyptica[/i]), all is featured on this disc. Above all, there was not a single song on this album I didn�t like. A [u]must have[/u] for every fan of melodic powermetal! [b]Line-Up:[/b] Jonny Lindkvist � Vocals Fredrik Mannberg � Guitar Nils Norberg � Lead & Rythm Guitar Nils Eriksson � Bass Owe Lingvall � Drums [b]Tracklisting:[/b] 1. New World Messiah 2. Against The World 3. Avalon 4. Awakening 5. Egyptica 6. Break Away 7. End Of Days 8. The Flame Will Never Die 9. One Nation 10. Nightmare [b]Review by BlackRain[/b]