It’s been ten long years since we last got some new music from Nubian Rose – read Christer Åkerlund (guitars, keyboards) and Sofia Lilja Åkerlund (lead vocals). Ok, so Nubian Rose might not be a household name for many rockers out there but for us who discovered them back them back then the waiting has been patience testing, to say the least. Especially as the talk about new music being on the way has been out on the streets for a few years now. The band’s debut album Mountain (2012) was an uneven affair that brought some real bangers but also a few fillers too many for comfort. That’s why the follow-up Mental Revolution (2014) was such a big surprise as it was a total knock-out where the stars aligned on almost every part. The full monty was extremely close on that one.
That’s why the waiting for new music has been pain in the neck – with an album like Mental Revolution in their catalogue a new record should’ve come crashing down on us after just a few years. Well, it is what it is and the important thing is that new music is coming out and with a killer previous record expectations are of course sky-high. In the press-release Lilja stated that “Amen sounds very different, but hopefully in a good way” and “what would be the point of making another Mountain, or Mental Revolution?”. This both exciting but at the same time a bit worrying. I mean, how different will it be? Have they abandoned the melodic Hard Rock that was their brand totally? For me, this is intriguing and in all honesty, if the songs are good then they can play in whatever genre they want.
I have to start backwards here because after all, Nubian Rose did start backwards when it came to promote this record. How? Well, the first signs of life we got from the new album was a video for “Gonna Get Close To You”, a cover of Dalbello’s old classic, also covered by Queensrÿche back in 1986. Nubian Rose’s version lies way closer to Dalbello’s original than Queensrÿche’s version did. Dalbello’s version brings on the industrial vibes something that Nubian Rose also has gone for and if this is a sign of where the new music is going then yeah, this is gonna be different alright. That said, this version is heavier, darker with a more ominous and haunting melody arrangement while keeping the original melodies close. It’s big on hard, edgy synthesizers, it’s down-beat yet punchy with cranking guitars and it’s a superb version. It shouldn’t be a bonus track at all but since it’s actually a single, how can it be? It’s not a bonus track in my world.
The opening track “Memorial” lies somewhere between an actual song and an intro. It’s sparse, soft and laid-back in a mellow mood. A piano, short guitar inlays and an orchestral synth makes it dramatic and cinematic. The vocal melody is moody yet still inviting and the piece went under my skin right away. An emotional and beautiful song that takes us into the latest single “Dramatic Day” that kicks off with a punchy drum beat that brings on a chunky groove with a rough-edged guitar coming in on top with a vintage sounding synth creating a distinct melody-line. It’s a mid-paced number with busy and lively outlook where the strong vocal-melody grabs a hold right off the bat. The song doesn’t have an actual chorus but manages to be catchy anyway. It’s a phenomenal track that’s organic and down-to-earth which gives it a distinct live-feel. Brilliant.
“Break Down The Walls” throws a clear nod towards the band’s Arena Rock days. It’s faster in tempo, quite ballsy with a distinct main-melody. It’s a powerhouse rocker with chuggy guitars, an in-your-face rhythm and while it’s a Hard Rock stomper at heart it also brings along a classy synthesizer on top. The big chorus is really bang-on-target and feels like a natural progression from the last album. The guitar solo parts flirts shamelessly with 80’s Metal which fits the song like a glove and brings on a nice contrast. It’s an infectious tune that really have to be a future single. I love this.
The album takes yet another turn with “Running”, an upbeat, rhythmic pop-rocker that swings like crazy on a beat that’s even danceable. It actually brings on a disco touch and feels like the bastard child of Kiss’ “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” and Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero”. The chuggy guitars marries splendidly with the 80’s synth-sound and the big pop-vibes here are immense. The tune holds a verse-melody so catchy most bands would have used it as a chorus, a rowdy guitar solo that screams classic Hard Rock and a chorus so catchy it’s ridiculous. Speaking of singles, this must be one because if you don’t remember this tune after first spin you probably don’t have a sense of melody at all. Magnificent!
At close to ten minutes “Lost In The Mist” brings Nubian Rose into Progressive Rock territory. It opens with a spacey synth-intro only for it to continue on a heavy, gloomy and dark note on a bouncy rhythm and a Metal riff. It’s slower in tempo and brings on a dystopian feel where the vocal-melody brings out Lilja’s inner Dalbello. A mellow, melancholic and even haunting synth-laden passage comes in where Lilja talk-sings in a theatrical way before a menacing and hard-edged guitar comes in with a chug, classic Metal style. Then a spacey and ominous synth takes the song into a more bombastic soundscape before the rowdy guitars takes the song back into the heavy groove. The song is like a movie but despite it’s progressive outlooks the song is embracing and the chorus is really memorable. This is a WOW moment to say the least. Awesome!
“Red Sky” starts out sparse and low-key with a clean guitar, piano and a keyboard. Åkerlund takes the lead vocal for the first lines in the song which builds up a fine contrast to Lilja’s clear vocals. It’s a ballad we get here but it takes on an upbeat rhythm on a rhythmic note and even though the song gets faster it’s held-back and quite fragile. The synth-lines are delicate and the Melodic Rock laden chorus is still dark yet damn catchy. Another killer track. “Desert Night” opens with a crunchy and punchy rhythm. The guitar melodies grabs a hold right off the bat and the oriental influenced synth melodies are intriguing and highly addictive. It’s a quite direct tune and bears traces of the band’s earlier days. It’s a chunky, melodic rocker with another striking refrain with lots of hit-potential. Great stuff.
A classical piano opens “Holy Roar” which continues when the song gets going. The song soon goes on more plain and direct with a crunchy riff over a rhythm in higher tempo both edgy and raw. The song blends classic 80’s Hard Rock with a more modern touch but it also brings on a vintage feel. The classical piano solo is splendid and contrasts brilliantly with metal-riffing. A kicking rocker with a striking chorus. Great. “Bright Lights” is more of where that came from. A concise and powerful Hard Rock belter with stand-out vocal melodies and catchy guitar-lines. Åkerlund and Lilja shares the lead vocals here and their dissimilar voices builds a cool contrast which in turn creates a different kind of dynamic. A kick-ass number that could work great as a live-opener. A stellar number.
Different. Unpredictable. Progressive. These are three words to describe this record. So if you had expected an album in the vein of the first two you’re in for a surprise. While all that is fine and dandy, it would mean nothing if the tunes don’t hold water. They do. And then some. Now, this record might take a few spins to get into so if it doesn’t stick right off the bat, don’t give up. Remember, patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait so hang in there because when you get the hang of this album you’ll be highly rewarded. There are of course traces of their Melodic Rock past in the melody department but mostly this is a band moving forward.
Sonically there is a lot happening. It’s guitar driven Hard Rock at base but the analogue, vintage sounding synthesizers gives the album a different soundscape and the production has a modern twist to it but it also sounds organic and rootsy with none of the modern, compressed production that is so hip right now. As for the quality of the songs there’s not a weak spot on here. While the songs goes in different directions all the time, there’s still a thread that saws the tunes together that makes sure the album’s not a split personality thing. So I’ll add a word to describe this record. Phenomenal. It’s only January but the album of 2024 just might already be here. The only question is, how on Earth are they gonna follow this record up? Masterful.
10/10
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Tracklist:
1. Memorial
2. Dramatic Day
3. Break Down The Walls
4. Running
5. Lost In The Mist
6. Red Sky
7. Desert Night
8. Holy Roar
9. Bright Light
10. Gonna Get Close To You (bonus track)
CD & Festival reviews 