The Nightmares are previewing their forthcoming second album with an empowering anthem for those who find themselves constantly down on their luck. Vocalist and guitarist Adam Parslow says the track is “a song for those who feel luckless in life. For people who feel like life never goes their way. ‘Hell Is Gonna Happen’ is about embracing the chaos in life and following the path set for us – no matter how uncertain. It’s about finding beauty in disaster and chasing your dreams.” Exemplary of their dichotomy of influences, this new single was inspired musically by The Nightmares’ love of artists from New Order to (self-titled era) blink-182. The album ‘Fire In Heaven’ will be released 14th February 2025 via Venn Records.
The music video for the track, also just released, is the next instalment in a continuous narrative conceived by the band. They created a protagonist, “Blue”, whose story of discovery plays out across four chapters: ‘Something In The Dark’, ‘Dead Roses’, ‘Hell Is Gonna Happen’ and the forthcoming ‘Letting It All Go’. “The journey of “Blue” takes the viewer on a story arc that touches on four key elements: alienation, exploration, self-love & fulfilment,” The Nightmares explain. “These videos are set to a moody, dark, aesthetic and tie in with the world we wanted to create for the album. They were inspired by our collective love of 90s Cult TV Show X-Files and 00s film classic, Donnie Darko.” All four videos were directed by band member Parslow.
‘Fire In Heaven’, as a whole, delves into the idea of love lost and the enormity of the universe at large. Themes range from mythical siren songs to extraterrestrial life via the complexities of true love and an overarching questioning of your own existence. Parslow explains of the record’s title: “The name for the album is taken from a quote from Jaz Coleman of Killing Joke – who was speaking glowingly of the sound produced by the late great guitarist Kevin ‘Geordie’ Walker. The quote really resonated with us as a band and we felt it perfectly captured the mood of the new songs. This record explores the curiosity between the struggles of human existence on Earth, and the weight of what else might be out there in the wider universe… “
With the addition of a second guitar player since their debut, The Nightmares were able to expand the scope of their approach to songwriting, emboldened to explore sounds more grandiose than ever. Influences on ‘Fire In Heaven’ range from Alkaline Trio, Motion City Soundtrack and The Get Up Kids, to the eclectic sounds of The Cure, Interpol and Bright Eyes.
The Nightmares’ forthcoming collection also incorporates previously released noir-pop epics ‘Dead Roses’, which has recently been featured on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, and ‘Something In The Dark’, a song for outsiders which introduced the band’s new era to the world.
‘Fire In Heaven’ is the follow-up to The Nightmares’ 2023 debut album, ‘Séance’. The uniquely dark stylings of this record saw the band from Newport, Wales forged as one to watch in the UK’s alt underground, their cult status propelled by icon-in-the-making Will Gould of Creeper guesting on a track and the likes of Kerrang! proclaiming they have “Coffinloads of promise”. The Nightmares have also performed an Audiotree session and enjoyed BBC Radio 1 play courtesy of Daniel P. Carter, Alyx Holcombe and Huw Stephens, as well as support from Adam Walton at BBC Radio Wales.
The Nightmares are no strangers to the open road and have various dates plotted for the year, including a special album release show at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on 15th February 2025, to celebrate the album’s release. Previously, The Nightmares have played shows with Funeral For A Friend, Dashboard Confessional, Kids In Glass Houses, Casey, Fearless Vampire Killers, Miss Vincent, Creeper, Holding Absence, Grave Pleasures and Tiger Army, as well as appearing at festivals such as 2000trees.
SEE THE NIGHTMARES LIVE:
15 February Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff – album release show
05 April Takedown Festival, Portsmouth Guildhall
‘FIRE IN HEAVEN TRACKLISTING:
- Siren Song
- Something In The Dark
- Dead Roses
- Letting It All Go
- Hell Is Gonna Happen
- Beneath Your Name
- Blood On Your Hands
- Run Away
- Winterlude
- Heaven Won’t Hold Me
- Melancholy Waltz
CONNECT WITH THE NIGHTMARES:
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THE NIGHTMARES ARE:
Adam Parslow (Vocals & Guitar)
Eleanor Coburn (Vocals & Keys)
James Mattock (Drums & Backing Vocals)
Benjamin T. Mainwaring (Bass)
Craig Preece (Guitar)
