Nomad Son came about as the union of Forsaken bass player
Albert Bell with local Classic Rock band Frenzy Mono under the instigation of
producer David Vella (Beheaded, Rammstein, Matryrium, Forsaken). Before “First
Light” one might have empathised with sceptics dismissing this reunion of
Classic Rock and Doom…..from a diminutive island that is Malta. Besides, Mr
Bell’s creativity must surely have been dissipated with the monoliths of Doom
that are Forsaken...
As it turns out, such preconceptions couldn’t have been more
misguided. In all sincerity I hadn’t been this impressed by any Metal release
for a very long time. “First Light” is gripping in its quality and provides a
breath of fresh air to the genre. Paradoxically, the style is still distinctly
old-school Doom in flavour – think of Pentagram, Black Sabbath, Trouble and Deep
Purple. Yes, Deep Purple are a clear point of reference for Nomad Son’s music, a
fact that stems from an amazing use of the Hammond. This is perfectly
illustrated in ‘The Wraith’ – a song whose climax makes you shut out the outside
world while you air-guitar/keyboards like an insane jack-in-the-box. Nomad Son
are also blessed with a highly talented vocalist: Jordan Cutajar, who sounds
like a rejuvenated Bobby Liebling (Pentagram). There are no fillers in “First
Light” but ‘Empyrean Fade’ and ‘Forever Twilight’ tend to get particular
attention in my stereo.
The lyrical content of “First Light” has a
political nuance and seems to suggest feelings of despair and anger at the loss
of those values enshrined by religious faiths that keep humanity connected. When
compared with his contributions for Forsaken, Albert Bell here adopts a more
direct style of writing. The album ends with the only ‘ballad’ (if that’s the
right word) – a song suggestively called ‘The Light At The End’. It is heavily
reminiscent of Black Sabbath’s psychedelic ‘Solitude’ but the lyrics of the
former have stronger feelings of hope. In fact it contains what are probably the
most straightforward and heartfelt verses that Albert has ever written.
I reckon that this
album owes much of its magic to a pervasive chemistry within all the band’s
ranks. It’s as if “First Light” was meant to be. Miss this gem and lose
your soul.
