MIDNIGHT
MIDNIGHT "Hellish Expectations"
By Dr. Abner Mality
Masked marauder Athenar must have considered the last MIDNIGHT album "Let There Be Witchery" too elaborate and overproduced. I know that sounds crazy, but next to "Hellish Expectations", that's exactly the way it comes across. This new record cut things to the bone and dials up the speed and volume.
This is almost the D-beat version of MIDNIGHT. Only opening track "Expect Total Hell" exceeds three minutes in length, making it the album epic. The riffs are rough and ridiculously easy to get into...the VENOM and MOTORHEAD aspects of the band have never been more evident. Some tracks like "Dungeon Lust" and "Mercyless Slaughtor" seem to have extra bottom end, making them the heaviest tracks MIDNIGHT has ever done. As for lead solos, those seem to be more "rock n roll" than ever. reaching back into the primeval past.
MIDNIGHT's music is limited by its very nature, which even Athenar wouldn't deny, but live is where this band really delivers the goods and "Hellish Expectations" is their most "live" sounding effort yet. So fan expectations are definitely met once more.