Nitrate, the British band led by mastermind, songwriter, and bassist Nick Hogg, delivers the new studio album “Feel the Heat” only two years after their previous release “Renegade”. The amazing singer Alexander Strandell (Art Nation, Crowne), along with brothers Tom Martin (ex-Vega) on guitars and James Martin (ex-Vega) on keyboards, are still on board. The two new members are the guitarist Richard Jacques and the drummer Alex Cooper (Devilfire, Corvus).
“Feel the Heat” can be described as the perfect musical amalgam of AOR, melodic rock, arena rock, and hard rock. Responsible for the album’s songwriting are Nick Hogg, Robert Hodson, Tom Martin, and James Martin. Needless to say, they have done a fantastic job in every way. The production is tight, powerful, and crystal clear. It does have a modern feel to it, which adds to the final outcome.
From the moment the album bursts into life with the outstanding anthem “Feel the Heat”, you’re immediately transported back to the glory days of 80s AOR, melodic rock, and hard rock, where bands like Def Leppard, Journey, Europe, Bon Jovi, and Whitesnake ruled the charts. The album continues with some amazing songs like “All the Right Moves”, “Wild in the City”, “Needs a Little Love”, “Live Fast, Die Young”, “Satellite”, “Strike Like a Hurricane”, and “Stay”. The wonderful ballad “One Kiss (To Save My Heart)” is a duet between Alexander and Issa. The impressive vocals are reminiscent of famous 80s singers; the guitars are strong; the leads are excellent; the use of keys is notable; and the drumming is solid. The album’s main highlights are the big hooks and the catchy melodies. It’s impossible not to pick a few songs to sing along to right away.
Nitrate has created an album that pays homage to the golden era of AOR, melodic rock, and hard rock while staying true to their own music identity. The band managed to capture the essence of the 80s while maintaining a fresh and modern sound. “Feel the Heat” is an impressive album that will be cherished by fans of melodic hard rock for years to come. It is undoubtedly the band’s best album to date, as well as one of the top releases of 2023!
