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WICKED SMILE - WHEN NIGHT FALLS
Release date 6th February via No Dust Records - WICKED SMILE are back with their second full-length release, When Night Falls. Bursting onto the scene in 2021, the band quickly established themselves as unapologetic standard-bearers of old-school heavy metal. With guitars blazing, a driving rhythm section, and hooks that hit hard, they made it clear that they are true metal rockers at heart-rooted in tradition, yet infused with their own unmistakable energy. With their 2021 debut "Waiting For The Night", WICKED SMILE perfectly positioned themselves at the crossroads of hard rock and heavy metal, blending melodic sensibilities with the raw energy of classic metal. Led by vocalist Danny Cecati (ex-PEGAZUS) and guitarist Stevie Janevski (BLACK MAJESTY), the Australian band now returns with their sophomore full-length effort, "When Night Falls". In 2023, the band also released the EP "Night Time Riders", and three of its four tracks have been carried over to the new album—much to the delight of fans. This continuity highlights how WICKED SMILE are not merely revisiting old ground, but refining and amplifying their signature sound, creating a record that feels both familiar and freshly energised.
The basic formula carries over seamlessly into the new songs: tight, punchy hard rock with clear roots in classic heavy metal. The band themselves describe their sound as sitting somewhere between DIO, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, DOKKEN, ICON, and SKID ROW—and it’s an apt comparison. The tracks combine soaring melodies, driving rhythms, and razor-sharp riffs, delivering a sound that feels both timeless and immediate, paying homage to the giants of the genre while remaining unmistakably WICKED SMILE. The title track 'When Night Falls' opens up the record and immediately stakes its claim. Fast, focused, and structurally straightforward, it puts Danny Cecati’s vocal prowess front and center—arguably the band’s most defining asset. His delivery carries the melodic core of the album, moving seamlessly between restrained aggression and crisp, clean phrasing. The influences are obvious, yet the song never feels like a mere homage or showpiece; it’s grounded in strong songwriting, where energy and melody serve the track rather than overshadow it. From there, the album opens up like a carefully navigated journey. 'Back To Back We Stand' pulls the listener further in, its weighty atmosphere carried by a rhythm section that moves with both power and precision. Tom Nugara’s bass adds a tangible heft, giving the track a physical presence that anchors every beat. The band demonstrates a masterful command of space and tension, letting the groove bear the song’s weight before the guitars cut back in with sharp, decisive force. It’s a moment that highlights their ability to combine heaviness, dynamics, and subtlety in perfect balance. WICKED SMILE embrace a shadowy intensity on "When Night Falls", and it elevates the album to new heights. 'Face Of The Wicked' and 'Rebel Souls' carry a brooding weight, with riffs that hit thick and heavy and moods steeped in menace. The riffing on 'Face Of The Wicked' is deeply rooted in the 70s—classic, hard, and tinged with doom, with subtle echoes of LED ZEPPELIN’s Kashmir. The track feels cinematic, like a scene from a metal opera where shadow and fire coexist in perfect balance.
As 'Never Surrender' kicks in, the energy is impossible to resist. Classic heavy metal adrenaline courses through every note-fast, driving, and utterly infectious. This is a track made for movement, sweat, and volume turned all the way up. WICKED SMILE’s live prowess shines through; you can almost see the song erupting in clubs and festival tents, fists pumping in unison. The guitars, drums, and vocals lock together with precision and raw intensity, perfectly capturing the thrill of a live performance while retaining the polish of the studio recording. The second half of "When Night Falls" hits like a second wave of adrenaline, ramping up the intensity right from the first note. 'Walking The Wire' slams in with unstoppable force—double-bass thundering, riffs razor-sharp, and the band completely in sync. It’s arguably the heaviest track WICKED SMILE have ever laid down, a pure distillation of classic heavy metal energy. 'Night Time Riders', already a fan favorite, returns reinvigorated—faster, punchier, and more melodic—carrying the album’s momentum while highlighting the band’s knack for memorable hooks and soaring choruses. 'Heavens Falling Down (Crutch)' then shifts the pace, delivering the album’s first true ballad. Its reflective, slower tempo offers a welcome contrast, demonstrating that the band can blend restraint with emotional depth as convincingly as they can unleash full-throttle aggression. The album closes with a powerhouse double act: 'Phoenix Will Rise' and the unapologetically raw 'Scream N Shout'. The latter is a gritty, in-your-face hard rock anthem, leaving the listener with a final blast of energy, attitude, and swagger. Together, these tracks round out When Night Falls, proving that WICKED SMILE can navigate heaviness, melody, and rock ‘n’ roll bravado with absolute command.
Verdict
With When Night Falls, WICKED SMILE don’t just follow up their debut—they make a commanding statement. This is a loud, proud, and uncompromising declaration of heavy metal intent. The album honors the genre’s finest traditions while feeling urgent, alive, and fully contemporary. It’s melodic yet powerful, dark yet uplifting, and unapologetically metal from first note to last. If justice exists in the metal world, this record should elevate the band, firmly establishing WICKED SMILE as one of the most compelling and vital acts of today.
SCORE 9/10
WORDS by SWAMPY