Nighthawk – Six Three O

Nighthawk
Six Three O
Label: Mighty Music
Out: August 1^st, 2025
Playing time: 33:57

Nighthawk are, in fact, an all-star band. They were probably formed in the summer of 2020 by guitarist Robert Majd (Metalite, Captain Black Beard). At least, the first sign of life on Facebook dates back to July 2020. Singer Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra, and many others) quickly joined the band. The other musicians also play or have played in well-known bands such as Eclipse, Lions Share, The Night Flight Orchestra, Soilwerk and Bonafide. My first contact with the band dates back to December 2023. Their ‘Live!’ EP was released that year. ‘Six Three O’ is their third studio album after ‘Midnight Hunter’ (2021) and ‘Prowler’ (2023).

Oh yes, they are, true ‘Hard Rock Warriors’. In addition to the hard riffs and drums, there are also impressive vocals. The singing master (Björn Strid) really knows his stuff. Keyboard tapestries resound in the background from time to time. Fortunately, they are mostly not too intrusive. But the guitar master (Robert Majd) also proves his skills with a solo. John Lönnmyr’s keyboards occasionally become the second melody-leading instrument. ‘Wrong Side Of Desire’ is dominated by a catchy guitar melody. And the keys waft in the style of a Hammond. This can also be heard on ‘Home Tonight’. The vocals are catchy. ‘Angel Of Mine’ picks up the pace a little. The drums in particular drive the song forward. And again and again the Hammond. In ‘Can’t Say Goodbye’, it takes centre stage right from the start. And continues to dominate the melody throughout. The highlight is the keyboard solo. At the beginning of ‘I Am The Night’, the bass (Rasmus Ehrnborn) gets its chance to shine. But soon the guitar and Hammond are back in the duet. Drummer Magnus Ulfstedt plays very matter-of-factly and calmly, setting the rhythm. There is also a strong guitar solo here. ‘Losing My Mind’ is a drum and riff-driven Rock song. ‘Too Good To You’ is then a little harder and faster again. Accordingly, Björn sings a little harder and slightly more raspily. ‘Cut You Loose’ is also a lively, catchy and melodic Rock song. With lots of guitar melodies and riffs and an ever-present Hammond. But Nighthawk have probably saved the best for last. First, there’s the more than convincing power ballad ‘Turn To Me’ with Hammond and guitar solos. It’s actually telling that I like the Rainbow cover ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’ the best. Is that the Dio bonus? I don’t know. But from my point of view, this is also where we hear Björn Strid’s strongest vocal performance.

‘Six Three O’ is a good album. With two outstanding closing songs. Unfortunately, only one of them is an own composition. But you have to give Nighthawk credit for one thing: the individual songs are all perfect for radio play. And not just because of their short length – none of the songs is longer than four minutes. The production is fat. The listening pleasure is correspondingly high.

Nighthawk – Angel Of Mine: https://youtu.be/9FNElBgjMXY?si=nwtAOuQu-ZRJBd-B

Lineup:

Robert Majd – Guitar
Björn Strid – Vocals
John Lönnmyr – Keyboards
Magnus Ulfstedt – Drums
Rasmus Ehrnborn – Bass

Track list:

• Hard Rock Warrior
• Wrong Side Of Desire
• Home Tonight
• Angel Of Mine
• Can’t Say Goodbye
• I Am The Night
• Losing My Mind
• Too Good To You
• Cut You Loose
• Turn To Me
• Man On The Silver Mountain