ALBUM REVIEW: Aeromantic II – The Night Flight Orchestra
Seven shows into their European tour supporting 2019’s Aeromantic and THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA were forced home as COVID-19 swept through the world. The Swedish rockers, formed by SOILWORK compatriots Björn Strid and David Andersson in 2007, quickly realised that if they weren’t going to be able to play shows for a while they might as well make themselves busy. Thus, Aeromantic II was born, released via Nuclear Blast on September 3rd and a direct follow up to its twin from two years prior.
Before the release of the first Aeromantic, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA had taken their fans on a trip into the cosmos with both 2017’s Amber Galactic and 2018’s Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough. With the follow-ups, they’ve brought things down a few thousand feet; they’re still in the air, but this is more in line with a chartered flight than anything in outer space. As a counterpart to its predecessor, Aeromantic II is definitely the return journey; it still has its punchier moments, but this is more serene and laid back, largely a record to relax with rather than dance to. That said, if you don’t want to get up and jive the night away to the gallop of White Jeans (a wonderful tribute to the band’s friends within the LGBTQIA+ community), you might want to go searching for where you misplaced your soul; a thunderous rocker with a stupidly catchy chorus, it’s TNFO at their bombastic best.
Violent Indigo which opens the record is less immediate than Servants Of The Air, but the underpinning synths from new keyboardist John Lönnmayr are gorgeous and help drive the track on. Midnight Marvelous soars impressively whilst Burn For Me is a true feel good moment that represents another occasion of wanting to throw a couple of shapes, albeit more in line with The Twist by CHUBBY CHECKER than Twist by KORN. Incidentally, the latter is the first in a three-song curve that represents the peak of the record: following track Chardonnay Nights is another synth-laden affair that will certainly conjure a feeling of gliding through the atmosphere without a care in the world, and it’s succeeded by Change, combining the stomp of 80s glam rock with the piano work more commonly found in softer, AOR presentations.
Of course, the 80s is all over this album – it is THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA after all – however, I Will Try evoking images of TEARS FOR FEARS is a genuine curveball in terms of what elements we’re used to the band incorporating. Zodiac has a luscious bassline from the ever-impressive Sharlee D’Angelo, and closing track Moonlit Skies somehow combines everything you loved about new wave and Somewhere In Time by IRON MAIDEN into the space of four minutes. It’s a perfect final song as the album comes into land, closing another chapter in the band’s already impressive repertoire.
Depending on what you like from THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA will determine whether you think Aeromantic II is above or below the bar set by the first, but it’s a great listen regardless – nothing too adventurous, but certainly not presenting a band on autopilot. THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA might be grounded for now, but the flight is merely delayed, not cancelled. When they can take off on tour once more, they’ll have two fine albums to showcase. Grab your boarding passes!
Rating: 8/10
Aeromantic II is set for release on September 3rd via Nuclear Blast Records.
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