A small change of direction compared to the sensationally good predecessor Victim Of The Evolution is made by the fine technicians of THE NOMAD. The excellent feeling for first-class melodies can be felt at all times, but takes a back seat in favor of scratchy, angry aggressiveness. The quartet attaches a little more importance to direct song structures and rhythmic neck vertebra training riffs.
So the head is constantly in motion when sparkling chords patter down on us in combination with finely drawn leads. The result is the one or other catchy tune with extremely successful choruses that seem catchy, but not too superficially flat.
The best example of this effective effect is the band anthem Rise, Nomad, because the sculpted chorus animates the vocal cords to bawl and starts a moshpit in the emotional nerve center through helicopter riffs. Squeaky vocals and shouts alternate and the rhythmic elements combine very well with the beautiful melodies, so that biting hardness and correctly dosed melody delight in a balanced relationship. Short speed reductions and the interspersing of heavy riffs enhance the dynamics and perfectly round off a finely composed song.
The modern, crisp sound brings out the forward pushing, hardcore influenced tracks very well and the neat digipack provides visual and haptic advantages.
The album is framed by two delicate instrumental pieces and even in the soft interlude of Atomic Shadows the experienced musicians show that they have more than just the sledgehammer method on the pan. Shortly afterwards the rushing Simulated Brain rushes out of the speakers and shines with brilliant double bass passages, familiar melodic guitars and cutting, rhythmic effectiveness all along the line. War Against Pain is also remembered for its tight grooves, wonderfully shimmering solos and simple chorus.
Sleep Paralysis increases the degree of complexity through many changes of time and proves the technical finesse of this highly interesting band, without forgetting catchy parts and grippy traceability.
This versatile work offers some facets and does not only focus on striking hardness, because under the surface there are lots of gentle elements that really benefit the dynamics. Stomping bulldozer parts and sensitive motifs coexist equally and complement each other to create a colorful, detailed overall impression that is worth taking a closer look at THE NOMAD.