British melodic rock / AOR band NITRATE is about to release the Deluxe Edition of their latest album, “Feel The Heat”, on December 20th via Frontiers Music. Vocalist Alexander Strandell comments: “It feels great to give the fans something more from this amazing album. It’s an honour to be involved with the Nitrate guys.”
‘‘Feel The Heat [Deluxe Edition]” adds 4 extra songs, including one written & recorded just two months ago, a re-arranged track listing, and brand new artwork.
Nitrate’s fourth studio album, “Feel The Heat”, was produced & mixed by Martin Bros Productions (Vega), it features a duet and backing vocals by female rock artist Issa, backing vocals by rock legend Paul Laine (Danger Danger / The Defiants), along with a song co/written by legendary songwriter Bob Mitchell (co-writer of the Billboard #1 song Cheap Trick’s “The Flame”).
There are also backing vocals by Leon Robert Winteringham (LRW Project), Alan Clark (Change of Heart), and a couple of co-writes by Rob Wylde (Midnite City / Tigertailz). With Richard Jacques and Alex Cooper (Devilfire, Corvus) coming on board, Nitrate delivered a record full of anthemic hook filled tracks and a more intense AOR style.
”Feel The Heat” mix Nitrate’s founder Nick Hogg influences from AOR and Arena Rock from the ’80s, such as BON JOVI, JOURNEY, BAD ENGLISH and especially DEF LEPPARD (Pyromania / Hysteria era). Hogg teams up again with VEGA’s Tom and James Martin, whom co-wrote almost the entire album (and also play guitar & keys) together with Robert Hodson. Alexander Strandell (Art Nation, Crowne) is once again handling the vocals showing why he is one of the most in-demand singers of the entire international scene.
A true belter of an album that sits firm among the elite of the genre.
Siren’s wail and a dancy synth opens ‘Feel The Heat’ and you’re off in a sultry hot night where the neon signs are bright, the humidity is high, the boys are cruisin’ and dealin’ the cops are looking for them and the chicks are scantily clad drinking cheap cocktails. It’s dark and dangerous and right out of an episode of ‘Miami Vice’. Oh the 80’s – if you didn’t live through them, you missed out!
‘All The Right Moves’ brings Journey and Night Ranger to mind and gives me goose bumps just listening to it but updated in sound like H.E.A.T. Loads of lush harmonies and bright keys weave through the arena sized riff and rhythm.
‘Wild In The City’ has that 80s synth again and Hogg’s throbbing bass line lets guitarist Richard Jacques have some fun over the top. It gets rockin’ straight away with an impressive performance from Strandell who rises and falls with consummate ease then we get the rocky ballad ‘Needs A Little Love’ which has a hook so big you could catch Moby Dick with it.
It’s actual ballad time on ‘One Kiss (To Save My Heart)’ – this would have been a massive hit back in the day and features the lovely Issa duetting on vocals.
It’s back to the serious melodic rock on ‘Live Fast, Die Young’ which chugs and throbs along with some wonderful keyboard fills before the bigger and badder ‘Haven’t Got Time For Heartache’ where Jacques gives it large and Strandell gives us some real attitude.
Then there’s the carefully crafted ‘Satellite’, recalling John Waite and Heart at their chart climbing best. This classy track merge Hogg’s AOR ambitions with the Martins’ cutting-edge sonics and melodic rock/pop smarts.
‘Strike Like A Hurricane’ goes full on Sunset Strip hair metal before ‘Big Time’ hits a bit harder. Then another wonderful ballad – ‘Stay’ – again is a keyboard players dream. Strandell shows another side of his voice – and he has many.
New track ‘Tough Guys Don’t Cry’ has the Martin brothers imprint all over, a wonderful midtempo AOR tune and Alexander Strandell’ s vocals are again spot on.
If you’ve got the album top it up. If you missed it last year, give your head a wobble.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
01 – Satellite
02 – Feel the Heat
03 – Wild in the City
04 – Needs a Little Love
05 – One Kiss (To Save My Heart) [feat Issa]
06 – Live Fast, Die Young
07 – Haven’t Got Time for Heartache
08 – Strike Like a Hurricane
09 – Big Time
10 – Stay
11 – All the Right Moves
12 – One Kiss (To Save My Heart) (Acoustic)
13 – Tough Guys Don’t Cry
14 – One Kiss (To Save My Heart) (Alternative Version)
15 – Live Fast, Die Young (Radio Edit)
Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Tom Martin – Guitars
James Martin – Keyboards
Alex Cooper – Drums
Richard Jacques – Guitars
Nick Hogg – Bass
NITRATE – Feel The Heat [Deluxe Edition] (2024)
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