Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
Hair metal heroes Midnite City are back with album number five and 11 arena-filled anthems that will take you back to MTVs heyday.
First track “Live Like Ya Mean It” bursts onto the scene with its balls well and truly in your face. Blistering guitar, pitch-perfect drums, goddamned cowbell and an attitude like Alice Cooper’s 80s era.
It gets its hooks in you immediately and within one minute you instantly know why this band has had such an impact since they burst onto the scene in 2017. The layered backing vocals, the borderline Pop catchiness and some incredible guitar work from Rob Wylde and Miles Meakin all makes for one hell of an introduction.
“Worth Fighting For” goes full on AOR with Shawn Carvette carving up the ivories like a sweat riddled 80s wet dream. This is another formulated hair metal classic. The production is exquisite and I am wrapped up in a 80s comfort blanket that I do not want to leave.
We switch onto the Americanised Whitesnake era with “It’s Going to be Alright”. Fill the arena, flick on the lighter and sway like you are an extra in a video shoot. This song is a reflection of why the 80s were so fucking awesome.
The guitar/ Keyboard intro on “Heaven in this Hell” is killer and once again we get those perfectly produced backing vocals. This song reminded me of one of my hometown heroes in Heavy Pettin and for me that is one hell of a compliment as I truly love that band. Once again the guitars are on fire.
Does anyone remember Skagarak? if not stick on “Running Back to You” and you are right there. This was another favourite band of mine back in the day and a band I still visit as I spin their vinyl and it fills my heart that Midnite City carry the torch for these bands. They have tied down the vibes with perfection.
“Lethal Dose of Love” is a title that should only belong in the 80s but man this song is so good. The song title may be cheesy but the contents are Rock majesty. This is a melodic masterpiece.
“Archers Song” is more of an interlude that would have sat perfectly in a Pretty in Pink soundtrack. It leads onto “Seeing is Believing” with those guitar notes that John Sykes brought to the world. It was the sound that re-energised Whitesnake and lead to multi platinum albums that this track would have fitted on without missing a beat.
The keyboard driven “No One Wins” is a hair metal staple. All the boxes are ticked and Rob sounds incredible.
Penultimate track “Hang on Till Tomorrow” is as smooth as a silk sheet. This is a sing along that will have you in your happy place. This is why Midnite City have risen to the top when it comes to this genre. They tip their hat to yesterday but they stamp their own credentials firmly within each track.
When you are having this much fun coming to the last song is a complete bummer but when it is as good as “When the Summer Ends” I can accept it. It kicks off with a Diamond Dave intro with Rob putting his breathless vocals centre stage and you will struggle to keep up with the party going on in your head. This is driving with the top down without a care in the world and this is how you write an anthem.
Midnite City have forged a name for themselves be it ass kicking tunes or live shows not to be missed. They have to be James Gunn’s go to right now band and I can assure you Bite the Bullet will be on heavy rotation at his house as it should be at yours.
The party is just getting started…and everyone is invited.
Catch the band on tour in 2025/ 2026.
https://www.facebook.com/midnitecityuk
