Nightland
The Great Nothing

Italians of Nightland return with a new effort, it is their third album, they also have a pair of EPs and have been going for over a decade. It is kind of strange that the label describes the band as an “emerging new sensation of the symphonic death metal scene”, can you really be a “new” sensation after more than a decade? Long emergence as well, but the only thing that really matters is whether or not Nightland deliver a great album – they do give us a great-looking one.

It is modern extreme metal akin to the similar bands mentioned earlier in the review, and other bands in that musical region. Melodic death metal, with bombastic symphonic elements, some progressive touches and strong melodies. The vocals are typical growly ones, nothing exciting in that area, but there are some catchy additions that improves the impression of the vocals. The sound is also very good, it is certainly a strong production for an interesting creation. The variation is fairly good, but I think the playing time is a bit on the long side, they probably could have trimmed a little here and there to make it more direct, dynamic and concise.

The need to condense the album is probably the weakness, but it is a lonely such thing as the strengths are more. The good songs, the atmosphere, the bombastic and over the top additions, and the general catchiness, those are all things that makes this album worth listening to. I think it is really good, perhaps not up to par with the absolute best of the genre, but not far from there. The Great Nothing should appeal to the fans of the similar artist, but probably to a broader audience as well.

Check it out, would be my recommendation. It is most likely worth it thanks to this band’s great qualities and strong song writing. Soon they may not be an emerging new sensation anymore, but rather an established and respected name of the genre. They certainly have the qualifications and should be able to deliver more strong offerings in the future.

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