This record Start the Change from German melodic metal band Then Comes the Night originally came out in the fall of 2023 independently. Singer/ songwriter Selin Schönbeck is familiar to the Metalapolis roster through his presence in power metal outfit We Are Legend – so it only made sense for this second album to get a proper re-release push through bigger channels. Building off their early 2022 Chapter 1 debut album which featured guest appearances from Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (KK’s Priest) and Tim Hansen (Induction), you can expect a ten song attack that contains elements of Teutonic metal, classic hard rock, and power inflections where the guitars electrify in harmony / hook-laden passages, leather lung vocal melodies of a mid-range to slightly higher proclivities, all wrapped into tight metal to the bone tempos.
Sweet bluesy rhythms along with endearing twin guitar harmony action from Selin and second guitarist Frank Schmitz (ex-Letter X) keeps the opening title track cruising along in that commercial melodic metal category that garners instant appeal – the lead break a clinic on capturing classical textures into a thoughtful, emotional context. The gritty appeal of specific tracks allows the vocals to fluctuate between power metal conventions and melodic hard rock / theatrical twists – where everything from Skid Row to Leatherwolf beyond the Stryper / Judas Priest tendencies crop up on higher lines within “Arose from the Graves” and “Roar Out Your Anger”. Smart injection of choral background vocals or keyboard enhancement will up the melodic factor, while others may be appeased by the natural snare tone choice that keeps drummer Roland Klein honest in his natural kit duties. He holds down a solid back beat for a heavy moving cut like “Zeitgeist” while getting a bit of front to back spotlight in small measures during “Badass D”.
The band breaks into a bit more dramatic splendor with “In My Mind”, a ballad featuring more magnificent background complimentary vocals and a bit more of a laid-back, Beatles-esque atmosphere during the chorus, kicking into gear a bit for the heavier lead break. Ardent Letter X followers will enjoy the resurrection of an old demo cut from 1989 “Leather on Leather” – still as infectious almost 25 years later, a much-missed German melodic metal/hard rock act that should have been so much bigger than they ended up being in the scene. If there’s only one minor quibble relating to the sound of the record, it feels like certain production values are a little lower than one would expect of this caliber – but that could again be due to self-imposed budget limitations.
Those of us who miss the European melodic metal/hard rock sound of the 90s that put Glenmore or Letter X in the spotlight, Then Comes the Night keeps that traditional style alive through Start the Change. Although losing Frank following the album’s release the trio plans on moving forward, so let’s see what the next effort has in store – because right now this band provides a lot of fun-loving material ready made for the stage.