Neverfade – Thieves In The Night

Neverfade
Thieves In The Night
Out: January 31^st, 2025
Playing time: 51:50

The Heavy Metal band Neverfade was founded in Tampere (Finland) in 2022. After several singles in 2024 and 2025, the debut album ‘Thieves In The Night’ was released in January of this year.

With soaring vocals, harmonized twin guitars, and a rock-solid rhythm section, this album is made for those who live and breathe classic heavy metal.

Big words, but they have to prove themselves on closer listening. Bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Blind Guardian are cited as influences. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at JR Audio Studio in Mänttä, Finland by Daniel Rantanen. It was produced by Neverfade and Daniel Rantanen.

‘Battle Hymn’ starts without any introduction. Strong Melodic Power Metal with an anthemic refrain. Singer Lassi Landström impresses with his clear voice. Choruses and beautiful guitar melodies provide plenty of epicness. At the beginning of ‘The Blade Pt. 1’, you can briefly hear a sword fight, in accordance with the title. But fortunately, Melodic Power Metal takes centre stage here too. In between, you can briefly hear the crossing of sword blades. ‘The Blade’ is a two-part work, of which there is a follow-up later on. The rhythm section really does provide a powerful sound. While the two guitarists keep throwing the ball at each other. ‘Phantoms In The Wind’ is a great Power Metal anthem. The singer can be heard at times with a pleasantly dark timbre. The guitar riffs gallop along. Another anthem follows with ‘Bleeding Hearts’. The tempo is slowed down a little. The drums set the rhythmic pace. ‘Assassin’ is harder and faster. The fast riffs are driven by the drumming. Lassi’s vocals also sound heavier in places. But he also repeatedly switches to higher pitch ranges. Of course, the contemplative power ballad should not be missing. This is what we hear on ‘Hourglass Breaking’. At least at the beginning. But it doesn’t remain calm throughout. There are also short, hectic passages. When it gets quiet again, the hi-hat sets the pace. An extremely varied song. Also, thanks to the increase in tempo in the second part, which is still very melodic. ‘The Blade Pt. 2’ is the previously announced follow-up. After an epic introduction, the drums and fast riffs once again set the tempo. ‘Voyager’ starts with a guitar fade in. But powerful riffs soon set in, underpinning the guitar melodies. A strong bass line can be heard several times. Balladlike and anthemic parts alternate. The vocals are sometimes fragile, sometimes powerful. And the twin guitar solos can be heard again and again. The album concludes with the almost eleven-minute-long monumental epic ‘The Horror (Out From Space)’. Luckily, the introduction with sound gimmicks is also short here. Soon enough, majestic sounding, slowly moving guitar riffs can be heard. The vocals are also quiet to match. Once again there is a bass line, underpinned by the hi-hat. But this is merely the transition to the fast, drum-driven middle section. The crowning glory is a high-calibre guitar solo. This is followed by an epic and calmer ending. By far the best song on the album.

After listening to it several times, I can say that the quote from the press release is not marketing gossip but describes very well what can be heard on ‘Thieves In The Night’. Lassi Landström’s vocal performance is outstanding. Both guitarists alternately deliver very good solos. And the rhythmic basis of bass and drums provide a powerful sound, together with the guitar riffs that can be heard again and again. Neverfade present classic Power Metal here. An extremely successful album debut.

Neverfade – Assassin: https://youtu.be/adtr7Fdz0O0?si=cKlWpxFX9cfeqe8S

Lineup:

Lassi Landström – Vocals
Jesse Liukkonen – Guitar
Jyri Sallinen – Guitar
Jesse Kämäräinen – Bass
Juho Savikurki – Drums

Track list:

• Battle Hymn
• The Blade Pt. 1
• Phantoms In The Wind
• Bleeding Hearts
• Assassin
• Hourglass Breaking
• The Blade Pt. 2
• Voyager
• The Horror (Our From Space)