With just about every band who have ever picked up a guitar or so much held a drum stick reforming for one last shot at the big time, another adding their name to the ever growing list seems somehow to get lost in all the noise. Rather than on merit many of these so called ‘greats of Metal’ have jumped to the forefront of the media queue on reputation build decades ago (no names mentioned), and their musical output is a secondary factor to accompany the media spectacle. It should come as no surprise then that the reformation of French Power Metallers Nightmare came and went without some much as a murmur from the collective Metal press and public. Since their return however the bands output has been prolific and not without a modicum of quality also. “Genetic Disorder” being album number four in only six years, an impressive return by anyone’s standards: and perhaps the bands most accomplished release to date.

The name Nightmare won’t be all that familiar to most; their tenure during their first incarnation was short lived, only spawned two albums. Twenty one years on however the boys from Grenoble are back and appear hungrier than ever to prove a point. The band is ably lead by vocalist Jo Amore. For anyone familiar with the likes of Mike Howe ( Metal Church ) or David White (Heathen) will appreciate the aggressive, yet controlled power Amore is able to emit. With a low end grunt of aggression rather than the more traditional high end warble we have come to expect from this genre, Amore does pack a punch.

Musically "Genetic Disorder" encompasses various styles and demonstrates wide ranging influences. With Alex Hilbert and Franck Milleliri mixing things up from out and out Thrash to even elements of Death Metal riffing, they provide a tightness of a Downing / Tipton and have ability in abundance. The album most certainly benefits from a crystal clear production, allowing the songs to come together in a classic cacophony of blissful mayhem. Please don't misunderstand me "Genetic Disorder" has more than it's fair share of over worked rhythms and cliques, but the likes of "Dawn Of Darkness" and "Nothing Left Behind" are sure fid live winners, guaranteed fist punching, foot stompin' anthems awash with Metal heritage. "Genetic Disorder" won't win any prizes for originality but is a straight down the line no nonsense album, honest and made with integrity and what more could you ask for?