Rattlesnakes – Shadows in the Night (Album Review)
Release date: 30 October 2026
Record label: Listenable Records
The Riff Doctor's Score: (09/10)
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Diagnosis
Shadows in the Night is a blistering debut that drags the spirit of '80s heavy metal into the present with razor-sharp riffs, soaring vocals and enough speed to leave the competition choking on dust.
Best Tracks: Spellbound, Shadows in the Night, Where the River Meets the Sea.
The Full Review
Few emerging bands have made such an immediate impact on the heavy metal scene as Rattlesnakes. Formed in Nottingham in 2024, the British quintet needed just one year and a highly acclaimed debut EP, Deeper Shades of Torment(2025), to catch the attention of Listenable Records.
Now, in 2026, the band fronted by the charismatic and commanding voice of Rowena Neale unleash their eagerly anticipated debut album, Shadows in the Night: a full-blooded manifesto of old-school heavy and speed metal, recalibrated with the firepower of the 21st century.
With a line-up completed by founding member Elliott Dryden on bass, Joshua Brown and George Charleston on guitars, and Nathan Gratton behind the drums, Rattlesnakes deliver a versatile record steeped in the spirit of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), with lyrics ranging from social commentary to '80s-inspired science fiction.
The band don't simply pay tribute to giants such as Saxon, Judas Priest and Dio. They are beginning to carve out an identity of their own, establishing themselves as one of the most promising names in contemporary traditional metal.
The journey begins without mercy. The title track, "Shadows in the Night", kicks the doors down with a shot of pure speed metal, drenched in '80s atmosphere and driven by relentless pace and formidable vocals. "Forever" takes over, exploring the band's more melodic and accessible side with a terrific, fist-raising chorus destined to win over audiences in the live arena.
The energy refuses to let up on "Breakdown", where breakneck speed meets harmonised guitars in the chorus, making it one of the album's most powerful offerings.
"Spellbound" gives the drums a more prominent role, combining Dokken-inspired riffs with a modern edge. Its chorus provides another showcase for Neale's remarkable vocal range, blending the aggression of James Hetfield with the sheer power of Noora Louhimo. And before there's time to catch your breath, "Destroyer" arrives to push the accelerator firmly back to the floor, delivering another crushing dose of classic speed metal.
The instrumental "Dreamland" offers a brief change of scenery before "The Other Side of Midnight" brings back the unmistakable spirit of the NWOBHM, recalling the finest moments of Tygers of Pan Tang. Then comes "Lost Nor Found", another hammer blow of frantic, old-school speed metal. No frills, no compromises. Just the real thing.
As the album approaches its final stretch, "Where the River Meets the Sea" breaks away from the established formula. The record's ballad is a lyrical ode to nature and a rejection of modern life, revealing a more mature side to Neale's songwriting while allowing her considerable vocal abilities to take centre stage.
And for the grand finale, "For Even Gods Can Die", already a firm fixture of the band's live performances since their early days, brings the record to an exhilarating close. Towering vocal anthems and thunderous riffs combine in a triumphant final assault that leaves you grinning from ear to ear.
Shadows in the Night is further proof that the next generation of traditional heavy metal is in excellent hands. Rattlesnakes have crafted a dynamic, fresh and addictive debut that strikes a fine balance between '80s nostalgia and the raw intensity of modern metal.
A brilliant first full-length that firmly places the Nottingham quintet among the most exciting names in the new wave of British heavy metal. The future looks loud.
Jaime Gomez for The Riff Collective
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