Nocturnal Rites - Afterlife [Japan Bonus Tracks] (CD)

All Music Guide

The first recording to feature new vocalist Johnny Lindkvist, Afterlife was a heavier take on the resurging power metal genre Nocturnal Rites championed during the late 90s. Previous efforts from the group had garnered enough accolades for this Swedish band to be taken seriously, but Nocturnal Rites' tendency to mimic NWOBHM giants Iron Maiden didn't exactly go unnoticed. The issue of influential singularity isn't a problem on Afterlife. There is a moment during The Sinner's Cross that bears an uncomfortably close resemblance to Ronnie James Dio-era Black Sabbath, but considered in its entirety, this Century Media release is both tuneful and fresh. The fast-paced title track and the clever guitar arrangements of Genetic Distortion Sequence constitute the record's highlights, while the out of place commercial-sounding choruses on songs like Wake Up Dead soften things unnecessarily--despite, or perhaps because of their extreme catchiness. This polished and professional follow-up... to The Sacred Talisman has many strengths that fans of the best early 80s British and American metal should enjoy. But Afterlife also contains enough weaknesses to keep it off anyone's short list of essential power metal. - Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide Read more Less