Artist: Midnight
Country: USA
Label: Metal Blade Records
Formats: LP / CD
Year: 2025
Although Midnight’s best days are pretty much over, coinciding with their move from Hells Headbangers Records to Metal Blade Records, Athenar still manages to release solid and entertaining albums with this brainchild of his. None of the previous albums were the absolute bangers like the first three albums were, and that’s okay, the element of surprise is gone, of course, and there’s nothing wrong with just a good record. The question is, however, whether we really want an album full of covers. With a deep sigh and a slight feeling of reluctance, I decided to give it a try…
First of all, Athenar’s impeccable talent of catchy song writing is beyond question, so with that in mind I had at least some hope that this wouldn’t end up being one of those dreadful Six Feet Under cover albums. Having said that, when I found out that he concentrated solely on acts from his hometown of Cleveland (Ohio, my hopes were dashed. While this idea is rather sympathetic and it at least means we are not having to chew on the umpteenth Venom, Motörhead or whatever cover, I usually can’t stand that American adoration of their contribution to the global culture. But here we go, an album full of hillbilly, country and psychobilly stuff.
‘Steel, Rust And Disgust’ opens with the best track, a new Midnight original, ‘Cleveland Metal’. A song that seamlessly fits to the tradition set by the last few albums. These last recordings show Midnight straying further from their Black/Speed Metal roots and venturing increasingly into the realms of sleazy Rock-‘n’-Roll. Yet, it is unmistakably a catchy and well-written song that could’ve been part of a next Midnight album. Decent, solid, good, yet nothing to knock you out.
The rest of the album, frankly, is just about as good (or bad) as you may expect. Not nearly as good as any of Midnight’s regular albums, but not as annoying as most of the other cover records out there. All tracks have gotten a Midnight-treatment, so that they pretty much do feel like they are a Midnight song. As a non-Ohio citizen and not at all versed in the American musical tradition, I only recognized the name of David Allen Coe who also collaborated with the Pantera guys some twenty-five years ago. After well over half an hour I am sure I have had enough Rock-‘n’-Roll for the rest of the year and I’m left with the question still in my head: did anyone really think this was a good idea? I would have preferred Athenar to put his time and energy into a new album. But maybe I’m just too European for this.
