Regenerations by Nick Douglas (Metalville Records)

Regenerations by Nick Douglas (Metalville Records)

Nick Douglas is best known as the long-time bassist for Doro Pesch, performing within the Queen of Rock and Metal’s band for 25 years and counting. Douglas has also found time to work with the likes of Blaze Bayley and Chris Caffery, as well as found his humble beginnings at 19 in a heavy metal collective called Deadly Blessings. And now toss all of your preconceived notions out the window, because Nick Douglas has unveiled his second solo endeavor – and the recording sounds absolutely nothing like the projects he has participation with in the past. Regenerations is a stunningly captivating work of contemporary rocking artistry, filled with highly reflective lyrics and vibrantly melodic tapestries. The 11 tracks contained throughout Regenerations should appeal to all types of music fans looking to be thoroughly enraptured by the artists they listen to.

Regenerations kicks off with Come Alive, a thrilling commencement that is sweetly pensive yet ultimately life re-affirming. “Far away, I’m losing ground, I don’t know who I am right now,” is the beginning of the wonderful All Of Me, showing once again just how effective and persuasive Douglas is as a solo artist. “Before you break, come back to me, let me the fire that burns endlessly” is the clarion call of sweepingly romantic Before You Break, featuring a rapturous co-vocal by Sharlotte Gibson. I Need Real continues to search for love and connection in a world gone wild.  And then Didn’t We Try is an acoustic ballad that is sure to leave a lingering impression as you move on from that relationship that is not quite right.

My Lucky Day is cautiously optimistic before exploding into a reverie of pure rock and roll radiance. Uncomfortable is just as the title suggest, once again displaying Douglas’ insightful observations when to comes to the uncoupling of a relationship. “Words of wisdom, words of pain, words you’ll never hear again,” are unveiled so exquisitely in the wondrously emotional The Soul You Keep. Blackwood is a short yet entrancing instrumental piano interlude merging into the absolutely devastating sounds of You Break. And then closing out the Regenerations experience is the gentle, longing expressions of Blue, featuring the spellbinding guest lead vocals of Rebecca Gowarty.

With all songs written over a period of 15 years and committed to disc at last, Regenerations by Nick Douglas is a captivating journey that was certainly well worth the wait. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another decade or more for the next solo chapter from this truly perceptive artist. When you have rocked it all night long and need time for solace and reflection, Regenerations by Nick Douglas will be there to fill you heart and soul with tremendously poignant songs that are truly timeless.

(Review by Ken Morton)

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