In a Time of Blood and Fire

In a Time of Blood and Fire is the debut by Nocturnal Rites, formed in Umeå, Sweden. Having started out as a death metal band, they turned toward power metal influenced by Helloween and Iron Maiden, and this album shows its prototype. Vocals are handled by Anders Zackrisson, who anchored the early years. The band began in 1990 as a death metal outfit called Necronomic before steering toward a more melodic direction. Driven by racing riffs and a Nordic sense of melancholy, youthful yet sturdy melodic power metal unfolds throughout. From the openers "Sword of Steel" and "Skyline Flame" to the title track and the closer "Dragonisle," straight-ahead songs line up. Fredrik Mannberg's guitar and Zackrisson's singing radiate a rough but definite individuality. A powerful first step for a band that would later help carry the Nordic metal scene. It was released through Megarock Records after the band signed with Sweden's Dark Age, a raw and eager first statement.