N.M.E – The End Of Innocence

N.M.E - The End Of Innocence
  • 6/10
    N.M.E - The End Of Innocence - 6/10
6/10

Summary

Divebomb Records
Release date: July 12, 2019

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0.5/10 (1 vote)

Pittsburgh, PA’s Heavy Metal scene during the mid-’80s featured N.M.E a Classic Heavy Metal band building their fan base through support gigs for bands such as Dream Theater and Testament and culminated in studio recordings of twelve songs during 1988. Unfortunately, the recordings were unreleased when the band succumbed to lineup changes.  Fast forward 30 years.  These recordings are finally released as The End of Innocence.

The dated production is immediately evident.  The sound is honest and sparse allowing a direct connection between listener and musician.  Though refreshingly raw and unfiltered, it might alienate listeners more attuned to modern production standards.  As a time capsule of late 1980s Metal, the listener hears the influence of The Rods, Wildcat era Tygers Of Pan Tang and The Dark era Metal Church.

During “Walk On” the band uses a dual guitar synchronized riff attack similar to Judas Priest to good effect.  On “No Way Home”, the main riff is lifted straight out of Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls”.  One would think this riff couldn’t help but yield a good song, but it’s squandered on unfocused lyrics and climaxes with a panicked fade out. “The Chance” builds upon stuttering riffs stitched together with melodic flourishes to a galloping finish akin to Iron Maiden’s “Hallowed Be Thy Name”. “The Well” follows with Ian Anderson inspiration.  A flute is tastefully interjected throughout to add melodic nuance to otherwise plodding riff combinations.  Over the second half of the album, the highlights thin out. “Sweet Little Sister” has a Metallica “Hit The Lights” Thrash Metal signature representative of its time and “Wicked Child” displays experimentation with higher complexity song writing.

N.M.E may be a band long gone from the scene, but their album still holds its own among its peers from the era.  Classic Heavy Metal fans will find this an enjoyable audio throwback.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

TRACKLIST (Highlights: 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12)

  1. Vengeance Is Mine
  2. Walk On
  3. No Way Home
  4. The Chance
  5. The Well
  6. Trial By Fire
  7. M.I.A.
  8. Red Light Night
  9. Sweet Little Sister
  10. Eat Me Alive
    BONUS TRACKS
  11. R.I.P.
  12. Wicked Child

LINEUP

Michael Weldon – guitar
Brian Keruskin – guitar
Chuck Robinson – bass
Dave Snyder – drums
Jirus – vocalist

Author

  • Zac Halter

    Zac was a reviewer here at Metal Express Radio, hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. His interest in heavy music began in the 70s with his father’s Johnny Cash albums. After cousins introduced him to Steppenwolf, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, KISS, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Johnny Cash didn’t stand a chance. The 80s were spent in full pursuit of everything Metal: searching for new music at record stores, listening to albums, studying the covers and sleeves, and attending concerts. In the 90s, he preferred Death Metal over Grunge and hosted the Death Metal Juggernaut on WUPX in Marquette, Michigan. It was advertised as the only prime time Death Metal radio show in the country.

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