Semi-feral punk outfit NightFreak are back with a self-titled LP filled with breakneck riffs and 70s metal bombast. The Chicago group haven’t slowed down since 2022’s Speed Trials but they have filled out. NightFreak the album is lousy with warm back beats and melodic guitars; although, hardcore vocals and tight drums still reign supreme.
Album opener “Blackout” is dead serious about two things: a driving, repetitive, but deeply catchy guitar riff and vocals that would shred anyone else’s throat. The force with which the repeated cry of ‘blackout!’ leaves my headphones might be enough to partially deafen me. When these guys say noise they mean it. “Concrete Jungle Warfare” feels like a collision between 80s English metal gods Diamond Head and any Ontario screamo band from 2007 you care to name. The imagery here gets distinctly macabre and the drums get downright frightening in their precision. “Killers” might be the only track that opens with a riff I would describe as groovy? Can I say that here? Is that completely accurate? Well, maybe. The song itself is all gritty vocals and perfectly coordinated drums and guitar racing along at a fever pitch. I wish the bass got more runtime here, but that might be a notion from my ‘groovy’ tangent.
The guitar feedback intro gets a bit old on the back to back “Toy Guns” and “Death Breath”; although, all is quickly forgiven as the anti-cop dirge on “Toy Guns” plays out with high-hats and bass blazing.
“Falling In” gives the lightening quick guitar riffs, that the album heavily utilizes, time to breathe before the vocals flare to life. The drums, consistently fantastic all album, shine on the latter half of the track. Album closer “Winds of Desolation” has my favourite vocals on NightFreak. The lyrics come out in tight, machine gun fire.
While the album isn’t terribly varied, or experimenting with different sounds, it does metal and punk incredibly well. NightFreak’s debut LP is packed with vintage metal riffs and heavy punk tinged drums. It’s ultra moshable; barring a live show, it’s great to listen to while driving (although be warned you’ll probably end up with a speeding ticket).
