Just from the opening trio of tracks, you can hear the influences. It’s simplistic on a compositional front, a few chords, some licks, some synth blasts and a solid rhythm, but it works so damn well. It has some bite in the vocal delivery, atmospheric synths which slip in and out of the layers and again, some solid shifting sections which build for that big impact chorus moment. “How Long” feels like it should be on the soundtrack to an action movie or 80’s themed action/crime tv series. Rising sections leading into massive choruses, teasing lead melodies and a sweet sounding mid-section with some staccato bass stabs and slick shredding and funky flashes of chords sets up for a massive chorus loop finale. “Midnight Marvellous” has that driving 4/4 pulse which hooks you and its dynamics are perfectly played out. It’s long-distance love themed lyrics work so well with the energetic synth blasts and it’s big anthemic chorus is guaranteed to raise the roof of any venue where NFO play. “Violent Indigo” is the impressive opening track which sets the standard for the release. Miami Vice goes disco, an album which could have featured in full on GTA: Vice City, synthwave meets new wave meets AOR and classic 80’s heavy metal… It is just a fantastic blend of genres, influences and sounds, and it just clicks together so well. Minimalist chord structures, blaring synths, a solid rhythm section and big, expressive vocals and guitar solos are the special of the day on this album and the quality of the performance from start to finish is simply astounding.
Straight away, it is hard to find fault with this release if you appreciate the sounds of 80’s AOR styled music. All I know of this band is that the 80’s live on, and to be honest, I can get down with that… So, grab your gaudy coloured suits, your abstract shaped jewellery, hairspray, cheap sunglasses and jump in that angular supercar knock off and let’s get to the party. Originally, I was supposed to see them live at Bloodstock 2021, but because of Covid-19 restrictions, it put a hold on this happening, so the timing of Aeromantic II popping up does replace the live experience to some degree. Preamble aside, Night Flight Orchestra are a total unknown to me. Amidst a sea of blackened metal, -gaze and gloom, this album stood out, almost as if it called to me, saying “You know you want to hear me and talk about me, do it, ask for it!” These are the words (or as close to them as possible anyway) our dear editor/overlord here at Ave Noctum said to me when I requested this release to cover. “Of all the excellent releases on this list, why have 3 of you picked this?”
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