NIGHTHAWK – Vampire Blues (2024)

NIGHTHAWK was formed during the pandemic by Swedish musician Robert Majd (Metalite, Captain Black Beard) as a project where he got to play some guitar and work with different musicians.
To be released next August 30th, 2024’s ”Vampire Blues” is the third NIGHTHAWK album and features Linnea Vikström (Thundermother) on vocals, Robban Eriksson (The Hellacopters) and Peter Hermansson (220 Volt) on drums, Nalle Påhlsson (Treat) on bass and Richard Hamilton (Houston) on keyboards. And it’s the first release from this band via Pride & Joy Music.
”Vampire Blues” is an 11-tracker of fast-paced, spontaneous, action rock n’ roll songs with two covers; Aerosmith‘s “S.O.S. (Too Bad)” and Sam & Dave‘s “Hold It Baby” (featuring Danny Hynes from Weapon). Timeless Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Blues, and more – a fusion of ’70s / ’80s style for the genre, short and effective songs plenty of twin guitars, Hammond runs and melodic refrains.

The thrilling opener Hard Rock Fever is the perfect example since its title – led by the striking keys by Richard, or as “the real Bruce Dickinson” would say, “I got a fever, and the only prescription is the Hard Rock attack by Nighthawk” (if you know what I mean); followed by Generation Now bringing to our avid ears more of the charming yet powerful vocals by Linnea while Robert, Nalle and Richard are on fire armed with their sonic weapons.

Then the Deep Purple-inspired keys by Richard keep embellishing the airwaves in Turn To The Night, while the song’s drums sound and fell truly upbeat and vibrant, and there’s no time to breathe as Linnea will penetrate deep inside your mind with her soaring vocals in Living It Up, another great display of old school Hard Rock by the band.

The first cover song of the album is S.O.S. (Too Bad), originally released by Aerosmith in their 1974 album Get Your Wings, and what an amazing rendition by Nighthawk where Lianne steals the spotlight with her striking vocals.
And it’s pedal to the metal with another electrifying rockin’ tune titled Burning Ground, where the guitar riffs by Robert are nicely boosted by the classic Hammond organ, not to mention how powerful Linnea sounds once again on vocals.

A church-like intro quickly evolves into a dancing Hard Rock extravaganza titled Save The Love, showcasing the band’s trademark beats, riffs and keys, inviting us all to hit the dance floor like there’s no tomorrow, and it’s impressive how they sound technical and progressive without forgetting to deliver a huge amount of energy in their music, with the fun and vibrant The Pledge being a very good example of that, followed by Come And Get It, a song perfect for hitting the highway with your loved ones where Linnea an Robert make a dynamic duo with their respective piercing vocals and flammable riffs, making it impossible to stand still to their Rock N’ Roll party.

Then featuring the already mentioned Danny Hynes on guest vocals we have Hold It Baby, originally recorded by Sam & Dave in their 1967 album Soul Men, the second cover of the album which will take you back to the late 60s and fill your heart with Nighthawk’s twist on soul music.
Lastly, we’re treated to an electrifying live version of the song Just Let Go, and although I’m not sure if it’s a bonus track, it’s an amazing addition to the album where the band sounds as tight as in the studio.

After all is said and done, I have only one question to you: What are you waiting for to join Robert and his Nighthawk in the electrifying Rock N’ Roll celebration found in Vampire Blues?
It’s known that Robert is already working on his fourth studio album under the Nighthawk banner, and I’m curious to see if it will sound just as inspired and fun as ”Vampire Blues”, but until then we can relax, grab a cold beer, raise our horns and enjoy the excellent music found in one of the best Classic Rock / old-school Hard Rock albums of the year, no doubt about that.
Highly Recommended

01 – Hard Rock Fever
02 – Generation Now
03 – Turn To The Night
04 – Living It Up
05 – S.O.S. (Too Bad) (Aerosmith cover)
06 – Burning Ground
07 – Save The Love
08 – The Pledge
09 – Come And Get
10 – Hold It Baby (Sam & Dave cover)
11 – Just Let Go (Live)

Robert Majd (guitar)
Linnea Vikström (vocals)
Nalle Påhlsson (bass)
Robban Eriksson (drums)
Peter Hermansson (drums)
Richard Hamilton (keyboards)

Pre order:
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