Review NEON NIGHTMARE “Faded Dream”

An aura of the unknown surrounds a new project called Neon Nightmare. Who is the driving force behind this band is an unsolved mystery and let’s wait and see how soon a name(s) will be revealed. What can be said though is that whoever is behind Neon Nightmare is a big Type O’ Negative fan.
It starts with the embedding of the band name in the artwork and continues with six songs, plus an intro, all inspired by the legendary band from Brooklyn, NY.

“Higher Calling” is the title of the intro and the sound of a mobile phone vibrating is the first thing you hear. I was even confused when I looked at my phone and saw an incoming call. Of course, it is a higher call, from whoever, which immediately grabs your attention.

The first track “Lost Silver” starts a dark and gloomy journey. The moment the vocals join in, it is the baritone voice that immediately reminds you of Pete Steele. The parallels are striking and so is the music. Keeping a foot on the brake when it comes to tempo, the song also shows a more melodic metal voice though in the chorus, which is a great twist.

Powerful and dark is the start of ‘LATW2TG’, one of the faster songs on the album. Birmingham-rooted heavy metal meets a gothic vibe with some Sabbathian inspiration. “They Look Like Shadows” also starts faster and it’s the guitars more than the vocals that remind of Type O Negative. It’s these moments that give this release the extra tension that makes it more than just a Type O Negative clone.

The spirit of black-hearted romance is spread by ‘She’s Drowning’, while the 9-minute closer is in a league of its own. “Promethean Gift” is a dramatic and slow-paced song that evokes a comfortable feeling of unease. Melancholy and heavy-hearted misery are the emotions the closer generates among the listener. This goes for the calmer beginning of the song as well as for the heavier parts. It’s a true finale of an album that impresses.

“Faded Dream” is an album that may not win the award for the most innovative release of the year. Instead, this album is a tribute to the sound of Type O Negative, who provided the blueprint. The good thing is that Neon Nightmare don’t even try to deny the impact of the Brooklyn metal icons. And while the album reproduces the sound of Type O Negative, it still has enough of its own twists and identity to make it a truly exciting release. The only information missing is who the musician(s) behind the band are, as this would provide more background when it comes to the motivation for releasing such a record. However, maybe not knowing is the special spice for this album.