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Formed back in 1984, this is the eighth full-length release for quintessential French Heavy Metal pioneers Nightmare. My first exposure to these guys came when I stumbled upon the unforgettable Cosmovision, an album that seamlessly parlayed the band's traditional 80's Heavy Metal roots with modern day Power Metal stylings. Anyone familiar with 2007's Genetic Disorder will have a clear understanding in terms of what to expect with this latest offering since Insurrection really does not stray from the winning formula that was concocted with that neck-breaking slab of Heavy Metal, which leads to the one word that aptly describes the success of this band: consistent! Consistent in terms of producing album after album featuring the infectiously hard-hitting, dual guitar attack of Franck Milleliri and Jean Christophe Lefevre, vocals, compliments of Joe Amore, that blend even doses of Dio, Dickinson and Halford, which is superbly backed by the rock-solid rhythm section of Yves Campion (Bass) and David Amore (Drums)

The album hits the ground running with the mid-paced "Eternal Winter" featuring a thick and heavy riff assault which merely stands as a prelude of what is to come later. This is followed by the powerful and thrashy goodness of "The Gospel Of Judas", which is followed by eight more tracks of brilliantly produced powerful Heavy Metal. However, I would be remiss if I did not give special mention relative to the sensational "Three Miles Island", which chronicles the near disastrous accident that took place at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Facility near Middletown, Pennsylvania in 1979. The intro brilliantly brings to life the emotions surrounding the accident, complete with warning sirens and alarms and the voice of legendary newsman Walter Cronkite as word of the accident spreads, which then gives way to the most memorable opening riff on an album that is stockpiled with killer riffs, before the rhythm section explodes bringing to life a picture expressed in music of a hot nuclear reactor on the verge of meltdown.

Containing flawless production and precise execution Insurrection literally opens the flood gates in terms of providing fans with a highly enjoyable listen, which should not come as a surprise to those familiar with the band's previous output. While I would fall short of proclaiming Insurrection a masterpiece, it teases you with the notion that Nightmare possess within their grasp the level of skill necessary to one day give us a instant classic. That aside this latest addition to the Nightmare catalog comes with my highest stamp of approval.