Review: “Nightmare” by Aleister

Originally formed way back in 1987 in the East of France, Old School Thrash Metal quartet Aleister hung up their boots in 1997 having released six demos on tape and a debut album in “Tribal Tech” in 1994. After more than 20 years of silence the original rhythm section of drummer Eric “Neon” Fleury (ex-WorMachine, ex-Karelia, ex-Y Front) and bassist Didier Renaud alongside vocalist and guitarist David Roustany got back together in 2018 and released a sophomore album in “No Way Out” a year later. The search for a second guitarist saw them joined in 2022 by ex-Screaming Lead riff slinger Valentin Maugain who has since been replaced by Samuel Clauss (Post-Mortem, ex-Karelia). For some that might have been the end of the story, realising why they had split in the first place but not for this battle hardened group. Instead, after four years they have returned once more with a third album recorded, mixed and mastered by Renaud Hebinger at Ghost Studio (Karelia, Mercyless, Frontside) and with David Husser (Circle Of Mud, Crown, Speed Caravan) as producer. This will carry them to the Altar Stage at Hellfest France this summer…

Sounding like the much missed Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead fame, Roustany barks “Prepare your soul for War!” to create the opening of this Old School Thrash extravaganza. Chugging riffs and groove laden rhythms are the burning bridges that light the way for the bands boat to sail up river, the gang chants and solo nostalgic throwbacks that are tastefully delivered on a cut that has the technology of the modern recording studio but none of the unnecessarily polish. Rather than being slick and over produced, the mix is a little on the raw side which does the band plenty of favours as they sound nothing short of monstrous here. “The Game” continues the flow with neck snapping old school values that make you want to raise a poison chalice in thanks to the Metal Gods for this as unlike the tame and perhaps even dare we say it… boring recent offerings from would be genre leaders, this is something that satisfies with a crunch. Lyrics are to the point and not bloated or repetitive while the groove is undeniable. There is actually nothing to suggest the band are from France at all, the gravelly vocals from Roustany giving nothing away, so if you were told this was the next burnt offering from a band like Pissing Razors then you’d be none the wiser and happy to accept. A sinister edge creeps in with “Nightmare“, a classic Thrash tour de force that thunders through with all the power of a wrathful God while hinting that there is more to offer.

Moving through the gears “Don’t Let Him Down” then brings a little more blood and thunder by turning up the energy a notch and bringing classic driving riffs and increasing intensity. By keeping things simple and straight to the point it ensures this one hits hard and nurse will be required to stem the flow of blood from the open wound the band create. A more involved and intricate lead riff gives “The Reason For My Anger” a different dimension in the first half but the staccato riff breaks of the mid section that lead into so frenetic soloing ensure its one of the finest cuts the band have to offer with the record. A eerie and perhaps haunting old recording serves as the backbone to instrumental “The Preacher“, a dark introduction piece that leads into final track “Liar” in style. A fittingly thunderous crescendo to the album, the final cut sounds like Max Cavalera doing a pure Thrash cut with an almost tribal drum fill in the mid section from Neon that is immense followed by an almighty pick slide into the final skull crushing verse. Yes this may be ultimately nothing you haven’t heard before in the past 40 years – but that doesn’t stop it from being done with a verve, panache and lust for life that makes it not only a good time but fun with it [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Prepare Your Soul For War
2. The Game
3. Nightmare
4. Don’t Let Him Down
5. The Reason For My Anger
6. The Preacher
7. Liar

“Nightmare” by Aleister is out 28th April 2023 via M&O Music and Season of Mist with pre-orders available over at bandcamp