If you’re unfamiliar with the Neo-Classical Metal Band NZM, this “Best Of” compilation is a great place to start. Their first album came out in 2014 and lead singer/keyboardist Nick Z Marino has been Ynqwie Malmsteen’s singer/keyboardist since around 2009. His first solo album actually came out on Malmsteen’s Rising Force label. This “Best Of” has songs taken from various albums and a new song “No Innocence”.
By now you probably have a good idea of what the band sounds like if you’re a fan of Yngwie Malmsteen, the music is certainly in that vein and the European Power Metal scene. It’s hard to say what Marino excels at more, his vocals or keyboards, he’s very accomplished at both. When you throw in the ability to write powerful hooks and solid lyrics you’ve got a band that should be getting massive international success.
Perhaps being based in Florida hurts their chances for touring and playing festivals, but it’s nice to know we have bands like this on American soil. KAMELOT is based in Florida, but their singer is in Sweden so that helps to keep ties going there.
I have not heard this band’s entire library so I can’t honestly tell you what their “Best Of” should be, but I can say there’s some killer material on this one. I believe it’s all been re-recorded or at least remastered. They put out four albums in ten years so there hasn’t been massive changes to their sound. This one sounds very cohesive so I’m guessing it was done in the same session.
They managed to have a decent variety of tracks, from the all out Speed Metal assault to more traditional 80’s Metal to more progressive stuff, the band is talented to say the least and they are obviously able to cover the gamut.
If you’re a fan of any style of Heavy Melodic Metal you need this one in the library, great anthems with a generally positive attitude. The quality, musicianship and writing are all in line too, you won’t be sorry picking this one up.
Nick Z Marino – lead vocals and keyboards
Robert Klingenchmid- bass
Kevin Klingenchmid- drums
Denver Cooper – lead guitar
Our web page: https://nzmband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzmband?mibextid=LQQJ4d
YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@NZMBand?si=RL1h5NA8g7z1jj9-
Official YouTube video: https://youtu.be/WuV3eRgbw44?si=8OTsyyG4Wok6PEMw
Reverb Nation: https://www.reverbnation.com/nzm4