Nitrate are a melodic rock band from Nottingham, England who have released three prior studio albums which have had a somewhat revolving cast of collaborators from the melodic rock scene. Feel The Heat is their first album to be released on Frontiers Records, Adding to their already impressive roster of great bands. Having said that, I think frontiers has a LOT of melodic rock bands who sound the same and for me as a listener that gets old fast. Nitrate on the other hand I think are one of the stand out bands in the genre, Feel The Heat marks the second album they’ve released with singer Alexander Strandell who also sings for the supergroup Crowne as well as Art Nation, both of whom have released new albums this year you should check out.
That has to be some kind of record for a singer to have a new album out by three different bands in a single year, I don’t care who you are that’s impressive!
Nitrate are a different end of the melodic rock spectrum though, where Crowne and Art Nation lean almost a little towards a symphonic metal vibe Nitrate is more 80s influenced and measuring all three of Alexander’s releases I think this album is the best one.
The title track kicks off the album with some sirens, keys, and drums before blasting into one of the albums catchiest songs, Alexander’s vocals soar over ethereal melodies and rocking riffs, Their last album Renegade is really good but this song lets you know this album is miles ahead of it in its production and songwriting. “All The Right Moves” explodes with bright energetic melodies and reminds me a bit of something occasional collaborator Rob Wylde of Midnite City would write, A great 80’s pop rock style anthem.
“Wild in the City” reminds me a lot of Address The Nation era H.E.A.T, driving guitars play against a great bass line and a backdrop of keyboards, there’s a fantastic guitar solo here. I can’t say enough good things about Alexander’s vocals, when you have songs as lush and epic as these guys write you really have to have a singer who can drive the songs home. The energy of the first three songs continues on “Needs A Little Love” this track falls somewhere between Journey and Danger Danger at their best.
“One Kiss (To Save My Heart)” treats the listener to a duet between Alexander and melodic rock queen Issa, an epic power ballad that doesn’t waste the potential of having two singers of this caliber and they are paired perfectly, complimenting each other’s vocal style while shining separately. For me, Male and Female singer duets are very hit and miss and Alexander and Issa are phenomenal together here. This song would’ve been on a soundtrack and tearing up the radio back in the late 80s and early 90s.
“Live Fast, Die Young” picks the tempo back up and at times in the verses here Alexander reminds me of Steve Perry, the guitars and bass play a steady rhythm against the keys with infectious melodies and a great chorus. Make sure to play this album loud so you can fully appreciate the musical intricacies of these songs, I could honestly go on and on about how great the melodies are on this album between the music and the vocals, if you love music where you can just dissect and absorb the sonic textures of an album this is definitely one for you.
“Haven’t Got Time For Heartache” charges out of the speaker with great guitar playing and a thundering bass line courtesy of band founder Nick Hogg, this song is another one that reminds me of H.E.A.T but more on the harder rock side of their music. “Satellite” slows the tempo back down with a song that fits somewhere between the mellower side of Lita Ford and Alexander’s former band Creye. “Strike Like A Hurricane” is a bit more rough around the edges straight ahead rock than the rest of the album in the intro and verses but polishes the song up to standard by the bridge and chorus.
“Big Time” is another excellent energetic rocker with some phenomenal guitar playing and some great tempo changes throughout the song. “Stay” ends off the album with a great ballad that stands apart from the rest of the songs here and is probably the most different sounding track on the album while still fitting in nicely, a largely keyboard driven track that really lets Alexander show his mastery over his vocal range.
To say that this is Nitrate’s best album isn’t going far enough, This is the sound of a band transcending to greater heights than they’ve reached before. Feel The Heat is an album that should be heard by anyone who enjoys great melodic rock and is easily one of the very best albums released this year.
TRACKLIST
1. Feel the Heat
2. All the Right Moves
3. Wild in the City
4. Needs a Little Love
5. One Kiss (To Save My Heart) (featuring Issa)
6. Live Fast, Die Young
7. Haven’t Got Time For Heartache
8. Satellite
9. Strike Like a Hurricane
10. Big Time
11. Stay
LINEUP
Nick Hogg – Bass Guitar
Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Tom Martin – Guitars
James Martin – Keyboards
Alex Cooper – Drums
Richard Jacques – Guitars
9.5/10
