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Artist
Nocturnal Rites
12+ albums
Power metalheavy metalswedishmetalmelodic metal
about
Nocturnal Rites is a Swedish power metal band from Umeå, formed in 1990 and active until their indefinite hiatus in 2018. During that time, the band released 9 studio albums in total. While not among the biggest power metal names in Sweden, they attained a loyal following and are well respected for their heavier take on power metal, utilizing seven-string guitars on their early 2000s albums like Afterlife and Shadowland. Originally started as a death metal band, Nocturnal Rites was named Necronomic before switching to their current name during 1990. Their early demos, such as Demo 1 and Promo 1992, showcase this death metal era. By the time the band released their debut album In a Time of Blood and Fire in 1995, they had suddenly switched to power metal with strong influences from both Helloween and Iron Maiden. On follow-up Tales of Mystery and Imagination, guitarist Nils Norberg joined the band and their sound began to focus more on Helloween-influenced power metal, dropping the NWOBHM elements. Vocalist Anders Zackrisson would leave after their third album The Sacred Talisman in 1999, being soon replaced by Jonny Lindqvist. The change in vocals would also signal a significant stylistic shift into a much heavier rhythmic and riff-centric approach to power metal. During this era of the band, they would release some of their most critically acclaimed records in Afterlife, Shadowland, and New World Messiah. 2005 marked yet another style change for the band with the release
