Review: Nightstalker ‘Return From The Point Of No Return’

Nightstalker are a band who don’t seem to get the praise or recognition that they thoroughly deserve. For a band who have been around since the mid ’90s, they fall into that category alongside fellow Greek rockers 1000mods, who should be embraced by the many, not the few, especially with anthemic songs such as Dead Rock Commandos and Forever Stoned.

I was all set to see them live in Manchester back in June 2022, but due to illness within the band, it never happened, and I’m eagerly awaiting their return. Hopefully, with the release of their first album in five years, Return From The Point Of No Return, I’ll get that opportunity soon. It has eight new songs and as the band comment it will, ‘take you on a journey through the darker side of life, telling a story that’s as much about pushing boundaries as it is about confronting the void’.

That journey begins with Dust and their trademark heavy rock riffs come screaming out in full assault mode, with the unmistakable vocals from Argy Galiatsatos, being front and centre. With the psychedelic guitars from Tolis Motsios swirling around in the background, before that electrifying solo bursts through to notify their intent. It’s a short, punchy track which leads onto the sombre opening of Heavy Trippin’ armed with its slow intense build up, the drums of Dinos Roulos dominate this section, before they fall back into a dream like state for the verse. It has a wandering rhythm across the song, that will have you head bopping along to the melody and you simply crave more each time you listen to it.

Uncut starts with a drum and fuzzy bass mash up, with Roulos and bassist Andreas Lagios, creating a platform for the guitars of Motsios to come along and create some magic to match the fearsome rhythm, and he does a damn fine job. It’s five minutes plus of delectable quality from a band who are truly back to form, and the mid-section riff is another reminder of what they are all about. The vocals fade in and out but don’t dominate the song, and that’s one of the things that I enjoy most about Nightstalker.

The title track, Return From The Point Of No Return, is up next, and you get that warm, fuzzy feeling when you hear it, and the line that Argy sings ‘I can’t believe what you have done’ sums up how I feel, as this is destined to join their list of anthemic songs. Sit back and enjoy how the musicians work together to create a joyous experience for the listener.

It’s a clear return to form for the stoner rock gods who are back to reclaim their rightful throne…

Time to get out the lighters for Shipwrecked Powder Monkey as it’s a slower, less intense song, or so you are led to believe, as it becomes hijacked in true Nightstalker style about a minute in, but it twists and turns, with some intricate bass and guitar licks. The vocal is powerful and emotional, yet also calm and serene, with an evident weighty groove throughout.

The captivating bass sound of Lagios is at the forefront on Shallow Grave accompanied by a soulful Argy vocal. It’s gentle and soothing, and sees the band in a more reflective mood, but fits the album perfectly allowing Motsios to demonstrate his smooth guitar skills once again. It is a song that would be perfect towards the end of a live set, to give the audience a little breather before hitting them with more intensity.

Falling Inside doesn’t quite land into that category of high intensity songs as it’s all about the melody but follows a similar pattern, with the music standing tall and speaking for itself. The little hooks and riffs are what this band are all about, and thankfully we are never too far away from a ripping Motsios solo to cheer yourself up with.

The finale arrives all too quickly for my liking, with the fuzzed-out noise at the start of Flying Mode signalling another epic song from the Greek quartet. It’s a slow burning song, like climbing a high mountain, where you can see the top, and you must go through the pain to reach the summit, however, there’s not a moment of pain whilst listening to this album. It’s a clear return to form for the stoner rock gods who are back to reclaim their rightful throne.

Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram

Scribed by: Matthew Williams