The Devil Wears Nada – ‘In Lust We Thrust’

(Eonian Records)

There’s something wonderfully sinister about a band that can make melodic rock sound like it has just crawled out of a haunted mansion, put on its finest leather jacket and decided it’s time to throw a party. Sweden’s The Devil Wears Nada have absolutely no interest in playing it safe, and In Lust We Thrust is a glorious collision of melodic rock, classic hard rock, glam, AOR and a deliciously dark theatrical streak. Released through Eönian Records, this is an album that wears its influences proudly while adding enough macabre personality to make the whole thing feel distinctly its own.

The first thing that strikes you is just how much fun this band is having. There’s a real sense of mischief running through In Lust We Thrust, but underneath the tongue-in-cheek titles and horror-flavoured imagery is a seriously accomplished melodic rock band. The songwriting is packed with hooks, the arrangements are wonderfully polished and the choruses have that all-important ability to stick themselves firmly inside your head after only a couple of listens.

This is melodic rock with the lights turned down low. There’s plenty of sunshine in the melodies, but lurking behind those glossy hooks is something altogether darker. The band have clearly embraced the theatrical side of rock, with shades of Alice Cooper, Ghost and Lordi woven into a sound that remains firmly rooted in the classic melodic rock tradition. The result is familiar without feeling stale, combining the big-hearted accessibility of AOR with a slightly gothic atmosphere that gives the album considerably more character.

And then there are those keyboards. Oh, how I love the keyboards on this album.

They are absolutely integral to the sound rather than simply being there to add a little background colour. They provide atmosphere, melody and a wonderful retro sheen, often giving the guitars a darker cinematic backdrop to work against. At times they have that unmistakable mid-to-late-Eighties AOR sparkle, while elsewhere they take on a more sinister, almost horror-movie quality. It’s a fantastic combination. The keyboards help give In Lust We Thrust its identity, and I particularly love the way they are allowed to sit prominently in the mix rather than being buried beneath the guitars.

There’s a real understanding here of what makes melodic rock work. Henrik Westergren’s guitars are crunchy enough to give the album some muscle, but the emphasis is always on melody. The rhythm section provides plenty of punch, while the keyboards and backing vocals fill out the arrangements beautifully. Everything sounds big without becoming needlessly bombastic. It’s polished, but importantly, it never feels sterile.

Linus Johansson is another major asset. His vocals possess the swagger and theatricality required for this material, but there’s also enough warmth and melodic ability to prevent the darker elements from becoming overbearing. He sounds like a singer who knows exactly when to push and when to let the melody do the work. The backing harmonies add another layer of richness, helping those enormous choruses really take flight.

The production deserves plenty of credit too. In Lust We Thrust sounds modern and crisp while deliberately retaining the spirit of the Eighties and early Nineties. The guitars have weight, the bass has presence and the drums hit with authority, but it’s those keyboards and layered melodies that really make the whole thing come alive. There is a tremendous amount going on beneath the surface, and repeated listens reveal little details that can easily be missed on the first spin.

What I particularly enjoy is the balance between the serious musical craftsmanship and the band's wicked sense of humour. This is not an album that takes itself remotely serious, but neither is it a joke record. The macabre themes and outrageous attitude are part of the band's identity, while the music itself is delivered with complete conviction. That balance is difficult to achieve, yet The Devil Wears Nada make it sound remarkably easy.

There are moments where the band lean more heavily into their darker, theatrical side, and these provide welcome contrast to the brighter melodic passages. Rather than simply recreating the glossy AOR formula, they understand that a little darkness can make the melodies shine even brighter. It’s the musical equivalent of lighting a candle in a cemetery, atmospheric, slightly creepy, but undeniably beautiful.

‘Brat With A Baseball Bat’ kicks things off with attitude, swagger and a deliciously mischievous streak, this is a great introduction to The Devil Wears Nada. The guitars have plenty of bite while the keyboards immediately add that darker, theatrical flavour. Catchy, energetic and impossible to take too seriously, it sets the tone perfectly.

A more straightforward melodic rocker, ‘Last Forever’ brings the hooks in abundance. The chorus is particularly infectious, with the keyboards adding a wonderful layer of atmosphere underneath the guitars. There’s a strong Eighties AOR feel here, but the slightly sinister edge keeps it from becoming predictable.

Things take a darker turn with ‘Misery Is You’, which has a wonderfully brooding atmosphere. The melodies remain accessible, but there’s something decidedly gothic lurking beneath the surface. The keyboards are especially effective here, creating an almost cinematic backdrop while the guitars provide the necessary muscle.

‘In Lust We Thrust’ is everything you would expect from a band called The Devil Wears Nada. Fun, cheeky and packed with swagger, it combines a huge melodic chorus with a theatrical rock attitude. The keyboards give the song an almost decadent quality, while the guitars ensure it still rocks hard. One of the album's real highlights.

A clever title for a song with plenty of character. ‘Elephant In The Room’ continues the album's balance between melody and darker theatrical touches. The arrangement is nicely layered, with the keyboards once again playing a major role. There’s a great sense of momentum, and the chorus is tailor-made for a live audience.

‘Victoria’ brings another strong melodic dimension to the album. There’s a slightly more dramatic feel here, with the keyboards helping to create an almost romantic gothic atmosphere. The guitars never disappear, though, and the combination of melody, atmosphere and powerful vocals makes this another very enjoyable listen.

‘Dead & Breakfast’, the title alone tells you that this isn't going to be your conventional breakfast soundtrack! Musically, it’s a wonderfully playful slice of dark melodic rock. The band clearly know how to have fun with their subject matter, while the songwriting remains seriously strong. Catchy, theatrical and wonderfully quirky.

Now we're talking rock 'n' roll attitude. ‘Shotgun Wedding’ has plenty of energy and swagger, with a punchy rhythm section and guitars that give the song plenty of bite. The keyboards provide a welcome contrast, adding another dimension to the arrangement. It’s the sort of song that should sound fantastic played at full volume.

Closing the album with a darker, more atmospheric mood is a smart move. ‘Wednesday’ has a suitably gothic feel, combining haunting keyboard textures with melodic guitars and a strong vocal performance. It feels theatrical without becoming overblown and provides a fitting conclusion to an album that has balanced humour, darkness and melody so effectively.

Ultimately, In Lust We Thrust is an album that understands the importance of hooks, attitude and atmosphere. It doesn’t attempt to reinvent melodic rock, and frankly, it doesn’t need to. What it does is take the ingredients we already know and love, throw in some gothic theatrics, sinister keyboards, big guitars, memorable choruses and a healthy dose of Scandinavian songwriting magic, then turn the whole bloody thing up to eleven.

This is melodic rock with a mischievous grin and a black heart.

If you like your AOR melodic, your hard rock punchy and your rock music with just a hint of the macabre, The Devil Wears Nada have served up something rather special. In Lust We Thrust is catchy, theatrical, beautifully produced and packed with enough keyboard-driven atmosphere to keep me coming back for more.

A wonderfully melodic, darkly theatrical slice of Scandinavian rock. The keyboards are superb, the choruses are huge and the whole thing has an irresistible sense of fun. Turn up the volume, dim the lights and let The Devil Wears Nada invite you into their wonderfully twisted world.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Misery Is You’

Review by Woody