Rattlesnakes – ‘Shadows In The Night’

(Listenable Records)

There is something wonderfully exhilarating about an album that grabs you by the throat, kicks down the door and makes absolutely no apologies for the noise it creates. In an era when so much modern rock and metal seems determined to polish every rough edge, there is a particular joy in discovering a band that understands the importance of attitude, aggression, volume and good old-fashioned heavy metal muscle. Rattlesnakes certainly appear to understand the assignment with Shadows In The Night, an album that wears its influences proudly and delivers a hefty dose of traditional metal excitement. If your musical tastes lean towards leather jackets, denim waistcoats, battle-hardened riffs and the glorious sounds of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, then you might want to pay attention.

Shadows In The Night is an unapologetically heavy metal record, drawing heavily upon the spirit and sound of the NWOBHM movement while bringing plenty of energy and enthusiasm of its own. There is a genuine sense of nostalgia running through the album, but this is not simply an exercise in looking backwards. Rather, it is a celebration of everything that made that particular era so exciting in the first place. The raw energy, the galloping rhythms, the fiery guitar work and the sheer determination to deliver heavy metal without compromise are all very much present.

From the outset, the album establishes an atmosphere of urgency. These are not laid-back, background-listening compositions designed to accompany an afternoon pottering around the garden. No, this is music that demands your attention, preferably with the volume control pushed firmly into dangerous territory. The riffs come thick and fast, the rhythms are relentless and there is a wonderfully frantic quality to the overall delivery. Rattlesnakes clearly have an appetite for heavy metal that is loud, fast and unapologetically powerful.

One of the album's greatest strengths is its rhythmic intensity. There is a real neck-breaking quality to much of the material, with pounding percussion and muscular guitar arrangements providing a formidable foundation. The driving momentum is infectious, creating that irresistible urge to get the air guitar out, bang your head and generally behave as though you have been transported back to the golden days of British heavy metal. The band understands that heaviness is not simply about playing loudly; it is about creating momentum, excitement and an atmosphere that makes you want to turn the volume up another notch.

The NWOBHM influences are particularly welcome. There is a certain rough-edged charm to this style of heavy metal, where melody and aggression sit comfortably alongside one another. The genre has always possessed a distinctive identity, combining traditional metal foundations with a punk-inspired sense of urgency and a healthy disregard for unnecessary musical sophistication. Rattlesnakes tap into that spirit with considerable enthusiasm. The result is an album that feels proudly connected to the heritage of British heavy metal, without becoming an overly reverential tribute to its forefathers.

Joshua Brown and George Charleston’s guitar work is central to the album's appeal. Heavy, forceful and packed with attitude, the riffs provide the driving force behind the band's sound. There is an abundance of muscular guitar work, with the arrangements maintaining a sense of excitement and forward motion throughout. The heavier passages possess plenty of bite, while the more melodic elements ensure that the material retains an accessible quality. It is this balance that makes traditional heavy metal so enduring. You want the aggression, certainly, but you also want memorable musical passages that stay with you long after the final notes have faded.

There is also something wonderfully unpretentious about the whole experience. Rattlesnakes are not attempting to reinvent heavy metal or drag the genre into some futuristic musical dimension. Instead, they appear perfectly happy to embrace the foundations upon which this music was built. And why on earth shouldn't they? Heavy metal has always been about attitude, energy and the ability to make a room shake. Sometimes the simplest formula is the most effective, particularly when it is delivered with this much conviction.

What makes Shadows In The Night particularly enjoyable is the consistency of its approach. The album maintains its heavy metal identity throughout, refusing to dilute its personality or wander too far from the formula that gives it such character. There is a pleasing sense of determination here, with the band committed to delivering a collection of hard-hitting, energetic metal that celebrates the genre's more traditional qualities. It is the sort of record that should appeal enormously to listeners who prefer their heavy metal direct, forceful and packed with attitude.

For those of us who appreciate the history of British heavy metal, there is something especially satisfying about hearing a band embrace these influences so enthusiastically. The NWOBHM movement produced an abundance of fantastic bands and helped establish a musical identity that continues to inspire musicians decades later. Its legacy is built upon powerful riffs, memorable melodies, pounding rhythms and an almost rebellious determination to make as much noise as possible. Those ingredients are very much part of the Rattlesnakes approach, and Shadows In The Night benefits enormously from that connection.

This is an album for the denim and leather brigade, for the traditional metal faithful and for anyone who believes that heavy metal should occasionally leave your ears ringing and your neck aching. There is no shortage of bands attempting to capture the spirit of classic metal, but the important thing is delivering that sound with genuine enthusiasm rather than simply copying the surface characteristics. Rattlesnakes bring plenty of energy to the proceedings, and that enthusiasm makes the album an enjoyable experience.

Ultimately, Shadows In The Night is a celebration of heavy metal in its most direct and uncomplicated form. It is heavy, frantic, powerful and packed with the sort of old-school spirit that should put a huge smile on the faces of traditional metal fans. It might not be concerned with musical experimentation or pushing boundaries, but that is hardly the point. Sometimes you simply want an album that delivers the goods, gets the blood pumping and reminds you why you fell in love with heavy metal in the first place.

So, dig out the denim, dust off the leather, turn those amplifiers up until the neighbours start reconsidering their life choices and prepare for some serious headbanging. Rattlesnakes have delivered an album that proudly embraces its NWOBHM inspirations and brings plenty of heavy metal firepower to the party. This is music to be played loud, played often and enjoyed with absolutely no regard for the condition of your neck afterwards.

‘Shadows In The Night’, opens the album with a healthy dose of traditional heavy metal attitude. Big, bruising guitar riffs, driving rhythms and an unmistakable NWOBHM influence immediately establish the band's intentions. There is plenty of energy here, with a powerful sense of urgency that makes for an excellent introduction. A proper headbanger to get things moving!

Keeping the momentum firmly in place, ‘Forever’ is another energetic slice of old-school metal. The guitars deliver plenty of bite, while the rhythmic drive gives the song an infectious quality. There is a welcome melodic element beneath the aggression, ensuring that this isn't simply about brute force. Traditional metal fans should find plenty to enjoy.

‘Breakdown’, things get particularly muscular here, with a heavier, more forceful approach that gives the album another injection of adrenaline. The riffs have a wonderfully gritty edge, and the pounding rhythmic foundation provides plenty of headbanging opportunities. This is Rattlesnakes embracing their heavier instincts with considerable enthusiasm.

‘Spellbound’, a welcome change of flavour without abandoning the band's metal foundations. There is a strong melodic presence running through this number, balancing the heavier guitar work with an engaging sense of atmosphere. The arrangement maintains plenty of power, while the traditional metal influences remain wonderfully prominent.

‘Destroyer’, the title alone suggests something suitably destructive, and the music certainly delivers on that promise. Heavy, aggressive and driven by muscular guitar work, this is one for those who like their metal with plenty of attitude. The relentless energy makes this a particularly satisfying moment.

‘Dreamland’, offering a slightly different dynamic, this number introduces a more atmospheric dimension to the proceedings. The melodic elements are particularly enjoyable, providing some breathing space between the heavier assaults. It demonstrates that the album isn't entirely dependent upon speed and aggression to make its presence felt.

‘The Other Side Of Midnight’, there is a wonderfully traditional heavy metal feel to this composition. The driving instrumentation and darker atmosphere create an engaging combination, while the guitar work keeps everything moving with purpose. Another strong example of the band's ability to embrace classic metal influences.

‘Lost Nor Found’, the energy levels remain high, with another hefty helping of riff-driven metal. There is a pleasing sense of urgency throughout, and the arrangement delivers exactly the sort of muscular, no-nonsense approach that makes this album so enjoyable.

‘Where The River Meets The Sea’, a more melodic and atmospheric offering, providing another welcome contrast. The song allows the album to explore a slightly different emotional territory while retaining its traditional metal character. A nice change of pace before the closing statement.

‘For Even Gods Can Die’, a suitably dramatic title for the album's concluding chapter. Bringing together the heavier and more atmospheric elements heard throughout the record, this provides an enjoyable final flourish. There is plenty of power and conviction here, ensuring the album finishes with its metal credentials firmly intact.

Rattlesnakes deliver a thoroughly enjoyable slab of traditional heavy metal with Shadows In The Night. Packed with NWOBHM influences, bruising guitar riffs, frantic rhythms and plenty of old-school attitude, this is an album that knows exactly what it wants to be. There is no unnecessary fuss, no chasing trends and certainly no shortage of volume-friendly moments. The denim and leather brigade will find plenty to get excited about here, with enough heavy metal firepower to keep those neck muscles working overtime. It might not reinvent the genre, but it doesn't need to. Sometimes you just want honest, energetic, riff-driven heavy metal played with conviction. Crank it up, raise those fists and let Rattlesnakes do their thing. A proper headbanging affair!

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Forever’

Review by Woody