Newport, Wales quintet The Nightmares release their new album ‘Fire In Heaven,’ the follow-up to their 2023 debut album, ‘Séance’. Adam Parslow explains of the record’s title: “The name for the album is taken from a quote from Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke – who was speaking glowingly of the sound produced by the late great guitarist Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker. The quote really resonated with us as a band and we felt it perfectly captured the mood of the new songs. This record explores the curiosity between the struggles of human existence on Earth, and the weight of what else might be out there in the wider universe… “
The dreamy `Siren Song` with its interplay of vocals from Adam and Eleanor leads us in with a synth tone underpinning this meditative opening number. Adam Parslow has shared that `Something in The Dark` is a song for the outsiders, for those who don’t fit in, the misfits, weirdos and the nonconformists and was influenced by artists such as Gary Numan, Killing Joke and Heavens. Another pensive offering that reminded me of eighties new wavers B Movie.
‘Dead Roses’ is a song that explores those emotions, anxieties, and fears, where a single thought or observation can trigger a deep-set emotional reaction inside oneself. Another wistful, synth driven, indie-pop submission. The fast paced `Letting It All Go` has a light emo vibe and reflects on “rolling the dice and taking a chance on yourself.”
‘Hell Is Gonna Happen’ according to singer Adam is about “embracing the chaos in life and following the path set for us – no matter how uncertain, finding beauty in disaster and chasing your dreams.” An enticing quite anthemic number that for me had a slight New Order undertone. There was a heavier texture to `Beneath Your Name` with its shimmering guitar riffs. A track that which seemed to be about an unreciprocated love and maybe mortality. `Blood On Your Hands` appeared to be an empathetic condemnation on the slaughter of animals. Eleanor`s haunting vocals had all the depth and range of the wonderful Julianne Regan from About Eve. A more subtle discourse than the Smiths. A gothic dream pop Meat is Murder possibly. We enjoy another contemplative illusory composition in `Run Away`.
The title `Winterlude` conjured thoughts of Game of Thrones but it`s as it suggests, a brief wintery neo-classical piano interlude. We enjoy a fairly tranquil melodic pop tinged creation with the alluring and expansive `Heaven Won`t Hold Me`.
The album closes out with `Melancholy Waltz` which is an initially stripped back mournful, sombre piece which gains depth as it evolves but retains that sense of sorrow.
There was much to enjoy on `Fire in Heaven` and the quintet of Adam Parslow (vocals & guitar) Eleanor Coburn (vocals & keys) Craig Preece (guitar) Benjamin T. Mainwaring (bass) and James Mattock (drums & backing vocals) who make up The Nightmares have created an appealing and entertaining forty odd minutes of goth and synth tinged, dreamy emo pop that I’m sure will secure them a much larger fan base.
Rating 8/10
REVIEW: THE NIGHTMARES – FIRE IN HEAVEN (2025)
Published:
