Review: “Metaxis” by Night Thieves

Derived fro m the Greek word “metaxu” meaning between, “Metaxis” defines the human condition of existing between the physical and divine or the real and the fictional. The word doubles as the title which Welsh Alternative Metal act Night Thieves have chosen for their debut album, offering an insight into the overarching themes and concepts behind it. Recorded at Long Wave Recording Studios in Cardiff, it was once again produced, mixed and mastered by regular co-conspirator Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Funeral For A Friend, Nova Twins), the man behind their 2024 EP “Polarity”, the promise is of more in the way of warm synths, catchy refrains, meaty hooks and big riffs from vocalist Jess Moyle, guitarist Paul Andrew, bassist Rick Hunter-Burns and drummer Ryan Delglyn…

The distinctive influences of bands like Linkin Park and Evanescence run through the veins of opening cut “Obsidian” with vocalist Jess Moyle offering a up a big sing-a-long chorus over warm synths from guitarist Paul Andrew, the band opting for a no frills first taste that feels like it’s missing that gut punch moment that would make all the difference. After such a relatively subtle start there is a big step up all round for the powerhouse offering that is “Mycelia” which has bigger riffs and thunderous percussion to give everything a sharper edge, Moyle’s vocals taking the centre stage. The melodic drop off is tastefully done, allowing for a grandstand finish and you can’t help but feeling that this one should have been the opening cut. “Home” maintains the eternal perpetual forward motion with more depth and texture as the quartet play with light and shade. A catching, sing-a-long chorus has the down tuned riffs packing a punch, the verses more of a play on gentle melodies with clean tones and warm synths. There are even a couple of passages where the riffs are bouncy, something the quartet may put to good use live.

Staccato riff breaks and haunting synths provide the backbone for “Freer” as Night Thieves push the Industrial Pop Metal envelope, the surprise being a some strained unclean vocal moments during in the final third. Given how good Moyle’s aching clean vocals are that might seem a little unnecessary but makes for a nice little change up as do the heavier riffs that surround it. If the synths were brought forward in the mix then this would actually be closer to Kidneythieves or KMFDM in style and that wouldn’t be a bad thing. “Running (Out of Time)” is a nice continuation of that even if it is a little sugar coated sour, lacking the emotive qualities in the vocal performance to give the introspective lyrical narrative the grit and integrity it needs to really captivate. The flip side of that is that it has a tasteful solo from Andrews that leaves you wondering why he doesn’t do that more often. The would be title track has been split into two parts, the first “In Between Pt.1” offering aching melodic vocals over programmed drums before a big riff rises from the black depths to wash away the pain. That flows seamlessly into “In Between Pt.2” as if the two were conjoined twins and this time that greater emotive quality in the vocals is very much present. Leaning into Progressive Metalcore territory this one has two distinctive guitar layers, a nuanced cleaner one underneath the big chunky riffs making all the difference.

A funky bass line gives “See You On The Otherside” another dimension, the quartet once again painting in light and shade by offering a melodic verse to contrast a surprisingly heavy chorus with guest vocals from Jessie Powell. The unclean backing vocals work really well as they cut against clean parts like a hot knife through butter, the powerful rhythmic battery providing all the weight that the darker lyrical narrative needs. On this evidence Fearless Records need to sign Night Thieves up for their next incarnation of their long running Punk Goes Pop compilation album, the schizophrenic moments of “The Game” very well crafted. Last but by no means least  “Maritime” rounds off the collection a groove laden beast that flirts with DJent and poly-rhythm as if to tease of more lurking just beneath the surface. Could this be an unintentional gateway album? It certainly could because the quality of it will leave you wanting more [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Obsidian
2. Mycelia
3. Home
4. Freer
5. Running (Out of Time)
6. In Between Pt.1
7. In Between Pt.2
8. See You On The Otherside (ft. Jessie Powell)
9. The Game
10. Maritime

“Metaxis” by Night Thieves is out 20th March 2026