Nightsteel – Nightsteel

Nightsteel
Nightsteel
Label: Cosmic Fire Records
Out: April 11^th, 2025
Playing time: 50:34

Greece is almost inexhaustible in terms of Rock and Metal bands. I regularly get to know new bands. One of them is the Power Metal band Nightsteel. Founded in 2022 by songwriter and bassist Bill Sam. His friend, drummer Mike Foudotos, followed shortly afterwards. However, I’m not sure whether we’re actually dealing with a complete band here. At least the band doesn’t seem to have any regular singers. The respective singers are listed for each song. Five different ones in total, who are on the microphone with different bands. Well, and the album doesn’t seem to be completely new either. Lately, I’ve often seen bands release an album on their own at first. If a record label then becomes aware of it, there is a re-release. A pre-production of the album was already released in August 2024. The songs were apparently remixed with different vocal guests. In addition, ‘Carry On’ is a bonus track.

The title track ‘Nightsteel’ opens the album. A storm of riffs resounds from the speakers, driven by the drums. Singer Travis Wills (e.g. Crimson Glory, Infidel Rising) is immediately convincing. The interplay between the two guitarists is outstanding. ‘Darkness Reigns’ ups the tempo even further. The next two songs, ‘Screams Of Agony’ and ‘Warlord’s Betrayal’, which starts with a bass melody, were also sung by Travis Wills. High-Speed Metal can also be heard here. ‘Whispers Of The Heart’ is quieter, a hymn with a beautiful guitar melody. Vocalist Rob Lundgren (Mentalist, Reveal, Mysterial Moon and others) and guitarist Igor Paspalj (with a magnificent guitar solo) can be heard here. The singer on ‘Eternal Fight’ is Craig Cairns (Tailgunner, ex Induction). In addition to the hard riffs, there are always synth sounds. ‘Calm Lake’ with singer Mauro Elias is also one of the quieter songs. Very rhythmic with some high screams. Another great Metal anthem follows with ‘Win Or Lose’. After Craig Cairns takes over the vocals again here, Mauro Elias can be heard again on the last two regular songs. However, there are fewer high screams on the anthem ‘Panagioti’ and the high-speed cracker ‘Damned Sorrows’. On the bonus track ‘Carry On’, singer Travis Wills can be heard again. And there is another guitar solo from ‘Guitarist of the Year 2020’ Igor Paspalj. But first there is an epic keyboard introduction.

Nightsteel have produced an outstanding Metal album. This is Metal in the tradition of the eighties with an extremely modern sound. Great guitar melodies and solos can be heard. But of course, the album lives from the great performances of the singers. I wish the band could find a singer who could take over the vocal parts of all the guest singers.

Nightsteel – Eternal Fight: https://youtu.be/iyyNy3Gzi6M?si=d9Gvi2rGMiI9BchF

Lineup:

Bill Sam – Bass, Songwriting, Backing Vocals
Travis Wills – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Igor Paspalj – Lead guitars
Jasmin M. – Guitars, Keys
Craig Cairns – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Rob Lundgren – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Mauro Elias – Vocals, Backing Vocals
Mike Foudotos – Drums

Track list:

• Nightsteel (feat. Travis Wills)
• Darkness Reigns (feat. Travis Wills)
• Screams of Agony (feat. Travis Wills)
• Warlord’s Betrayal (feat. Travis Wills)
• Whispers of the Heart (feat. Rob Lundgren & Igor Paspalj)
• Eternal Fight (feat. Craig Cairns)
• Calm Lake (feat. Mauro Elias)
• Win or Lose (feat. Craig Cairns)
• Panagioti (feat. Mauro Elias)
• Damned Sorrows (feat. Mauro Elias)
• Carry On (feat. Travis Wills & Igor Paspalj) [CD bonus track]