Do you know Inglorious? I am not sure enough people do, in my humble opinion. Fronted by powerhouse singer, Nathan James, Inglorious is a hard rock band (borderline metal) out of England that was formed in 2014. Through numerous line-up changes as Nathan cleaned house after the 3rd album was recorded but prior to its release (what, is he David Coverdale??), and again after the fourth, they are now back with a new line-up yet again…sort of. I say sort of because back is original bass player Colin Parkinson and man is he all over this album as he co-wrote the album with Nathan, he was the producer and that bass is the main focus on a lot of songs.
Along for the ride this time on the band’s fifth album, ‘V’, we have Guitarist Richard Shaw and Drummer Henry Rogers. There is also some Keyboard work with Tony Draper, but he isn’t officially a band member, he is actually the engineer and mixer of the album. Though the line-up has changed, Inglorious are still the same incredible band and maybe even a little heavier this time around. The one key element is that voice from Nathan James. There are not many people with his power and range. He is the one thing that sucked me in and kept me coming back for me. And now five albums in, Inglorious is getting better and better still.
I love it when an album opens with a song that is so explosive, so engaging and so freaking killer, that it sets the tone for the album and lets you know what to expect. With “Testify”, Inglorious have checked every box. That wicked bass line that opens things up and then right in to the nastiest guitar riff and powerful drum fills only to be accompanied by the great, powerful vocals is an opening statement that grabs hold and reels you in.
“Eat You Alive” keeps it coming hard and heavy with full on aggression. Nathan’s vocals are like a cross between Coverdale and Dio which pulls out the best parts of both. The song is a showcase for everyone with a great solo from Richard and a stellar rhythm section from Colin and Henry. If you think things are going to slow down with the next song, you’d be wrong. “Devil Inside” is pure metal intensity. Things get grittier, sludgier and straight up nastier while the chorus is melodic and catchy.
“Say What You Wanna Say” is quite possibly about former bandmates, don’t know for sure, but he is telling someone off. This one is a little more raucous, maybe borderline punk. I love the way he delivers the lyrics on the verses, almost spoken, semi-rap. The chorus is what you’d expect with great harmonies and layers of Nathan. Finally things slow down…well, a little bit. We get a mid-tempo ballad with “Believe”. An acoustic opening and a more gentle, solemn vocal from Nathan. It builds and builds and that chorus delivers on what the music promises. Even when they slow things down, they shine and don’t disappoint.
“Stand” kicks off the back half of the album and man is the bass front and center. There is a killer groove to it and the bass reminds me of Talisman and how Marcel Jacob was all over those songs too. This one is still heavy and the chorus is huge, but there is a funkiness to it as well. I like this new side of the band. A very radio friendly song and great choice for a single.
Next is “In Your Eyes” with a giddy-up guitar riff and a chorus that is signature Inglorious as it is big and catchy with Nathan harmonies with himself. This one isn’t as grand and powerful as the other songs, but still packs a punch. Things slow down with “Silent”, it does show some power, but is way more restrained then the rest of the album. Nathan’s vocals go even higher and have a gentle soul to them. Again, they know how to deliver a great chorus, they don’t have to be long, but they are catchy.
“End of the Road” brings the heavy back with another killer riff, some slammin’ bass work, pounding drums and more wicked vocals. Plus throw in another great solo and you have a deep cut that totally rocks out. Thankfully, we aren’t at the end of the road as we still have one more song to go and it is “Power of Truth”. This might be my favorite song next to the opening “Testify”. It has a long opening acoustic bit and sees Nathan deliver one of his best performances on the album. It reminds me of how Whitesnake would close out albums with some epically stellar songs. At about 2 minutes in, the song explodes as Nathan’s vocals get even more powerful, the riffs get louder and everyone turns it up a notch.
This album comes out of the gate swinging and never lets up. Having Colin Parkinson back on bass and behind the boards has really taken things up a notch for the band. They feel refreshed and alive again. As far as vocals go, there is no one out there in the same league as Nathan James as he has such power, such control and such range. His deliveries are so perfect and deliberate…simply stunning. The guitars on here from Richard Shaw are simply sweet. He has such nasty riffs, perfectly played solos that play for the song you can’t get enough. And then the pounding of Henry Rogers drives all these songs forward and give them such a heavy metal punch. All together, we have a well-oiled machine with songs that stick with you and explode in your ears. Might be my favorite album of the year so are. My Overall Score is a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars as there is nothing I would skip on here.
