Originally called Necronomicon, these Swedes started out as a death metal band in 1990. The same year they changed their name to Nocturnal Rites, and later changed their style to "modern" power metal. Over the years they have increasinly gotten more and more melodic in nature. They can be compared to Hammerfall, Nostradameus and Steel Attack (the Swedish German heavy metal bands!).

IN A TIME OF BLOOD AND FIRE (1995) DARK AGE/MEGAROCK

This is Nocturnal Rites first full-length album. But it's the second one I obtained, and heard. It lacks plenty production wise, so that is it's biggest problem. It took a few spins to get to know the songs, and the intention behind them, purely because of the bad production. But there are as many good songs here, as it is on their next effort. Strictly heavy metal, no sub-labeling needed!

Killer tracks: Sword Of Steel, In A Time Of Blood And Fire, Dragonisle

TALES OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION (1998) CENTURY MEDIA

The first album I heard by this band. I bought a cardboard promo, after reading a good review in Scream Magazine. At first I could not hear what all the fuss was about. I didn't like what I heard at all. But after a few spins, I loved this album. Turned out that the less then perfect production almost ruined my experience. But once the songs got to me, this CD wouldn't leave my player!! This is just great heavy metal, with strong influences from the 80's. Songs like "Eye Of The Demon" must become genre classics, or there is no justice in this world! The band also had changed both their guitar players on this album.

Killer tracks: Dark Secret, Lost In Time, Eye Of The Demon

THE SACRED TALISMAN (1999) CENTURY MEDIA

What is it with the Swedes and traditional heavy metal? Nocturnal Rites delivers yet another strong album, with no weak song in sight! This band has to be one of the most overlooked metal acts of all time. To be honest, my opinion is that these guys should be just as big as Hammerfall, if not even bigger. Yes, they are that good! Just check out "The Iron Force" and "When Fire Comes To Ice". Now, that's real heavy metal! What more can you want that excellent melodies, ripping guitar riffs and a vocalist that gives it all. Nocturnal Rites are now one of my all time favorite bands.

Killer tracks: The Iron Force, Hold On To The Flame, When Fire Comes To Ice

AFTERLIFE (2000) CENTURY MEDIA

In my opinion this is their best album so far. I believe it to be their magnum opus, the masterpiece of their career!! It's such an awesome metal album, I can't get enough of it!! It really ranks up there with albums by Artch, Iron Maiden, Hammerfall, Dio, Steel Attack etc. Premium playing, and stellar  songwriting. Their new vocalist is awesome! This is a must-have in every headbangers collection. Also cool artwork by Andreas Marschall (Running Wild, Blind Guardian, In Flames etc.) CLASSIC, and a MUST!!

Killer tracks: Pretty much all of them.

SHADOWLAND (2002) CENTURY MEDIA

I know I said that 'Afterlife' would probably be the best album Nocturnal Rites would ever release. Oh boy did I get to eat my words! 'Shadowland' is every bit as good a power metal album as 'Afterlife'. And dare I say they even outdid themselves with it? The songwriting is definitely a step up. And the musicianship is outstanding as well. Just check out the stunning opener, entitled "Eyes Of The Dead". The only complaint I might have is that the songs might sound a little to much alike each other. But can one really take that as a complaint, when every track is good? I for one tip my hat off for one of my favorite bands these days, and declare Nocturnal Rites to be one of the most underrated bands in metal. 

Killer tracks: There is not a single bad track on this album!

NEW WORLD MESSIAH (2004) CENTURY MEDIA

Every new Nocturnal Rites CD is a treat. And 'New World Messiah' is no excpetion tom that rule. But I have to admit that this is probably the CD I will listen to the least from this band. Not sure why, but it doesn't stand up as good as most of their other releases. It might be due to the fact that I bought it after the fantastic 'Grand Illusion', as it will be pretty darn hard to top that one! Make no mistake about it though, this CD is still an excellent piece of melodic power metal history!

Killer tracks: Against The World, Egyptica, End Of Days, The Flame Will Never Die

GRAND ILLUSION (2005) CENTURY MEDIA (Ltd. Edition CD & DVD)

I never fail to get amazed every single time this band releases a new album. 'Grand Illusion' is yet another masterpiece from one of the most underrated bands in the history of metal! I know I'm repeating myself, but I truly believe that these guys would have deserved to be as big as, if not even bigger, then Hammerfall. And I cannot see why anyone giving this album a spin would not agree with me. Nocturnal Rites still delivers some of the best power metal available. They might have gone a bit more melodic with time, but as a long as all of their songs are of such high quality, one can only continue to be impressed. On 'Grand Illusion' they are also deliberately trying to send out a message that music is supposed to be fun, and not always taken too seriously. Therefore they have invented a whole bunch of guest musicians to deliver some help here and there. People from Hammerfall, Naglfar, Steel Attack, Persuader, Savage Circus, The Storyteller, Stratovarius and Evergrey are maybe no surprise. But if I tell you that Per Elofsson is a world champion cross-country skier, then you might wonder what he is doin' playing guitar on a heavy metal platter? I guess he likes real music then! I like the way Century Media does their Limited Edition packages. Here they give us a bonus DVD, including documentaries and music videos. Good stuff indeed.

Killer tracks: Again, all of them. But especially "Fools Never Die" will stick to your memory for days.

THE 8TH SIN (2007) CENTURY MEDIA (Ltd. Edition w/DVD)

I can't believe it's been 2 years since the last Nocturnal Rites album already. Still, that is the fact of the manner. So now the boys from Umeå, Sweden are back with a new effort. And you know you can count on quality when it comes to this band. But this time they have tried to do it a little bit different, at least production wise. Sported with a very popish production, and some very keyboard laden arrangements, the songs on 'The 8th Sin' come across as the most melodic and accessible Nocturnal Rites have ever delivered. And to be honest, I'm sort of saddened by that. I've grown to love everything I've ever heard from them, and I think it is very unnecessary to change the already winning formula they had. Then a change like this seems sort of like reaching for the mainstream, an attempt to get radio play, and a foolish shot at the big times. Still, there is no denying the quality of the song material. Each and every track is very strong, as usual, and it doesn't take you long to either sing along, or headband along with the music. Tunes like "Not The Only" and "Not Like You" are highly infectious, and they will give you much listening pleasure. Jonny Lindqvist sings like a champion, showing everyone the powerhouse singer that he is. I just wish they didn't let down on the metal-sound as much as they seem to have tried to here. This limited edition comes with a bonus DVD, which I have not seen yet....

Killer tracks: Never Again, Not The Only, Not Like You, Me, Fools Paradise