Instrumental rock and metal is not always considered a popular style of music outside of the mainstream successes of such acts as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. But words, particularly vocals and especially in metal, is merely nothing but another instrument in the band. The real voice behind music is and always has been the instrumentation. From Beethoven to Bach, from jazz music to rhythm and blues, music continues to be about melody, hook and the formation of certain notes that captures our attention and our ears. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see that instrumental music can give you that same feeling without the ever so bewildering argument of trying to figure out what the lyrics are. While music should envoke thought, it also shouldn’t be homework and Sydney progressive instrumental act Nightmares Of The Sun are a prime example of a band that show you how vocals just aren’t needed when done right.
Luke Johnson is the visionary behind Nightmares Of The Sun and while previous work has seen more extreme forms of metal come from his background with influences like Opeth, this introduction to his newest project sees a real concoction of different styles of music from metal, rock, prog and even some electronic components that deliver a real sensory experience.
There’s definitely some heaviness to be found here but it’s interpersed with lots of melodic and atmospheric passages. Opening track “Visions Of Helios” is a laid back starting point that cruises in non-chalantly while twisting heavier elements into various pockets of the song all the while letting the mellower moments get used in key moments to provide breathing space between the already space-like landscape of this solid opener.
Stepping the prog elements up a notch here is this sweeping journey in “The Head Key” that takes you on an adventurous ride, never really knowing where it will take you. While the instrumental aspects will give you a little Satriani and Vai feeling, there’s a darker, heavier approach being used here to envoke the same kind of adventurous feelings you get from instrumental rock. The progressive elements certainly make it that much more exciting however and it’s that continuous role in this album that serves as the basis for the musical theme on top of the space concept.
There are also little interlude pieces injected into certain points of the album that could be served as some sort of breaking point or chapter end/start sequence like “Beyond The Kuiper” and the bluesy noir-like “I Dont Think I Am Me Anymore“, giving the album an even more cinematic feel. The real highlight here though is the massive “Approach Of The Epoch“. Serving as a centre piece of sorts, this epic track builds into a pyramid of several genres ranging across metal and rock and unsurprisingly, is the lead single from this album. A prime example of prog rock done right and not a hint of egocentric, music wankery in the slightest.
Going through some other tracks here, “Made To Suffer” is uniquely heavy in it’s prog-like state and jumping forward from there, “Ceti Omicron V” is a deceptive gem that features galloping riffs and a tinge of classic metal while incorporating modern elements driven by atmospheric moods. It’s the contrasts between tracks like those that make for a richer and interesting listen.
A bit of the bluesy stuff returns in the closing track “But They Shall Be The Terrors Of The Earth“, again cinematic in feel with a full sounding landscape that leads the album to it’s closing end. “Sol” is a great introduction to Nightmares Of The Sun and certainly for fans of instrumental rock and a bit of prog metal, this is one to check out for sure.
8/10
TRACKLIST
Visions Of Helios
The Head Key
Made To Suffer
Beyond The Kuiper
Approach Of The Epoch
Ceti Omicron V
I Dont Think I Am Me Anymore
But They Shall Be The Terrors Of The Earth
